CARSON, Calif. (May 6, 2017) – The Chicago Fire earned a point on the road on Saturday night at StubHub Center in a 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy. First half goals from David Accam and Nemanja Nikolic were ultimately matched by strikes from LA’s Daniel Steres and Giovani dos Santos over the game’s final 45 minutes.
MLS Matchcenter | Highlights | Match Notes
The Fire opened scoring in the 13th
minute courtesy of a David Accam penalty kick. After a run into the Galaxy 18-yard box, Accam’s quick give-and-go with Nemanja Nikolic resulted in the Hungarian forward being dragged down on the doorstep of goalkeeper Brian Rowe’s net. Accam’s ensuing penalty attempt beat Rowe low and to his left to give the visitors the early lead on the road. The goal was Accam’s third of the season, all of which have come in Fire road games.
Nikolic wasted little time in doubling the Fire lead shortly thereafter. Accam was yet again instrumental in the buildup, taking a run down the left flank and playing a well-weighted ball for an on-running Nikolic to latch onto inside the 18. Nikolic was able to coolly turn and touch a shot past Rowe to make the score 2-0 in the 16th
minute. The finish was Nikolic’s sixth of the season, putting him one off the pace of Houston’s Erick Torres for the MLS Golden Boot lead. The Fire would carry their 2-0 lead through to halftime.
LA’s Daniel Steres would pull one back for the hosts shortly after play resumed. The defender got his head on an in-swinging corner kick from Romain Alessandrini and pushed it past goalkeeper Matt Lampson to bring the score to 2-1 in the 56th
minute. The Galaxy would level the score on a Alessandrini corner kick ten minutes later. The Frenchman’s service into the box found the foot of a sliding Giovani dos Santos at the far post to bring the score even at 2-2 in the 65th
minute.
The Fire nearly got a winner on multiple occasions, the first on a Luis Solignac headed chance off the post in the 76th
minute, and again in second half stoppage when a Nikolic finish was ultimately ruled offside. The two sides would split the points in a 2-2 final.
The Fire are back home on May 13 for a Saturday night contest at Toyota Park against the reigning MLS Champions Seattle Sounders. Kickoff is set for 8 pm CT on ESPN2.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (3-3-3, 12 pts.) 2:2 LA Galaxy (2-5-2, 8 pts.)
May 6, 2017 – StubHub Center – Carson, CA.
Attendance: 24,256
Scoring Summary:
CHI – David Accam (PK) 13’
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (David Accam) 16’
LA – Daniel Steres (Romain Alessandrini) 56’
LA – Giovani dos Santos (Romain Alessandrini) 65’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Brandon Vincent (caution) 59’
LA – Romain Alessandrini (caution) 76’
CHI – Bastian Schweinsteiger (caution) 90’
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson, Drew Conner (Jonathan Campbell 75’), Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent, Juninho © (Arturo Alvarez 88’), Dax McCarty, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luis Solignac, Nemanja Nikolic, David Accam (Michael de Leeuw 69’).
Subs not used: Jorge Bava, Michael Harrington, Djordje Mihailovic. Daniel Johnson.
Shots: 12; Shots On-Goal: 6; Saves: 0; Fouls: 11; Corners: 2; Offsides: 5
LA Galaxy: Brian Rowe, Ashley Cole, Jelle Van Damme (Dave Romney 33’), Daniel Steres, Bradley Diallo, Joao Pedro, Baggio Husidic, Jermaine Jones (Ema Boateng 43’), Romain Alessandrini, Giovani dos Santos, Gyasi Zardes (Jack McBean 87’).
Subs not used: Jon Kempin, Jaime Villarreal, Jack McInerney, Rafael Garcia.
Shots: 12; Shots On-Goal: 2; Saves: 4; Fouls: 11; Corners: 8; Offsides: 1
