CHICAGO (May 25, 2016) - The Chicago Fire defeated WSA Winnipeg 5-0 in Premier Development League (PDL) action Wednesday afternoon on the Toyota Park Turf Field in their first home match of the 2016 season.
The Fire started the game dominating possession and creating many dangerous chances early. However, it took the Men in Red 38 minutes to get on the board when Oscar Gonzalez slotted a through ball into the box where Elliot Collier slotted one to the far post past the Winnipeg ‘keeper.
The Fire took control of the game to end the half with two more goals in the closing minutes. In the 44th minute Michael Jimenez powerfully headed home a beautiful corner taken by Djordjie Mihalovic. Cameron Lindley ended the half when he was given a set piece opportunity from just outside the box. Lindley sent the ball around the wall low down out of the keepers reach bringing the score to 3-0 going into half. Winnipeg came out of the half attempting to reinstate themselves into the game early by pressuring high up the field. The Fire did well to keep the ball and wear out the opposing team. In the 68th minute of play the Fire struck again, this time it was Louis Bennett who was given the free kick opportunity from five yards out of the box. Choosing to also bend around the wall, Bennett‘s strike gave the Winnipeg keeper no chance.
The last goal came in the 72nd minute when the Fire caught their opponent ball watching at midfield and found themselves attacking 4v2 at goal. Brody Kraussel was able to easily slot the ball in after some nice build up play from Djordjie Mihalovic.
Next up the Fire PDL travel to Chattanooga, Tenn. To take part in the fourth annual U.S. Soccer National Amateur Championship at UT-Chattanooga’s Finley Stadium alongside Chattanooga FC, Quinto Elemento and West Chester United. The Fire take on West Chester United at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 27 and will play a second game on May 28.
Chicago Fire: Andrew Putna, Andrew Gutman, Mauricio Pineda, Jeremiah Gutjahr, Michael Jimenez (Cody Witkowski 46’), Rece Buckmaster (Charlie Mertz 80’), Cameron Lindley (Louis Bennet 46’), Oscar Gonzalez, Djordje Mihalovic, Mark Segbers (Gonzalo Romo 65’), Elliot Collier (Brody Kraussel 46’)
WSA Winnipeg: Dylan O’Connor, Simwinga Ndanj, Kyle Hiebert, Rowaudo Hernandez (William Rosales 65’), Belmin Mackic, Caelen Budhoo, Braden Silva, Tom Prazak, Aaron Badescu, Prince Amara, Toby Heinrich-Krueger
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Elliot Collier (Oscar Gonzalez) 38’
CHI – Michael Jimenez (Djordjie Mihalovic) 44’
CHI – Cameron Lindley 45 (+2)’
CHI – Louis Bennett 68’
CHI – Brody Kraussel (Djordjie Mihalovic) 72’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Mauricio Pineda (caution) 32’
CHI – Cameron Lindley (caution) 41’
