KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 6, 2019) – Playing its second match in four days, the Chicago Fire Soccer Club (5-8-7, 22 points) fell 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City (5-7-7, 22 points) at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday night.
After a tightly contested start to the match, Sporting KC scored on a counter attack when forward Yohan Croizet converted from distance after being released in behind the Fire’s defensive line in the 14th minute.
In the 30th minute, the Fire responded with a close chance when midfielder Przemysław Frankowski slotted the ball through the 18-yard box for midfielder Nicolás Gaitán, who had his shot saved by goalkeeper Tim Melia.
With the Fire beginning to gain some momentum in the attacking third, Gaitán came close to finding his fourth goal of the season in the 32nd minute. Receiving a pass from midfielder Aleksandar Katai just inside the 18-yard box, Gaitán turned and pulled a left-footed attempt that skipped just wide of the near post (WATCH).
As the second half began, Sporting KC came close to scoring their second goal, but defender Francisco Calvo anticipated the shot by Daniel Salloi and cleared the ball away before it found its way into the back of the net (WATCH).
In the 68th minute, midfielder Dax McCarty came close to tying the game, connecting with a Gaitán free kick and redirected a header on target that forced another save from Melia. Four minutes later, McCarty slipped the ball through for second half substitute Nemanja Nikolić, who had his first-time shot saved as the Firecontinued to probe for an equalizer.
The Men in Red created another chance in the 85th minute when forward CJ Sapong drifted inside on his left foot and blasted an effort that went just high of the target.
Fire goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm made eight saves in the match.
Looking ahead, the Fire will return to SeatGeek Stadium to take on FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 13. Scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. CT, the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and transmitted locally in Spanish on Univision Radio WRTO AM 1200.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire 0:1 Sporting Kansas City
Scoring Summary:
SKC – Croizet (3) (Gutierrez) (2) 14’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Herbers (Caution) 44’
SKC – Gutierrez (Caution) 67’
CHI – McCarty (Caution) 69’
CHI – Campos (Caution) 83’
SKC – Barath (Caution) 88’
CHI – Schweinsteiger (Caution) 90’
Chicago Fire: GK Kronholm, D Bronico, D Schweinsteiger, D Calvo, D Lillard (Marcelo 67’), M McCarty©, M Katai (Nikolić 59’), M Herbers (Campos 80’), M Gaitán, M Frankowski, F Sapong
Subs not used: Sánchez, Reynolds II, Moreno, Martinez
Shots: 6 Shots on goal: 2 Fouls: 17 Offsides: 0 Corners: 1
Sporting Kansas City: GK Melia, D Zusi, D Barath, D Besler, D Sinovic, M Gutierrez, M Sánchez, M Zelalem (Busio 84’), F Gerso, F Croizet (Nemeth 66’), F Salloi (Russell 73’)
Subs not used: Zendejas, Hasler, Smith, Feilhaber
Shots: 17 Shots on goal: 10 Fouls: 12 Offsides: 2 Corners: 4
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Assistant Referees: Matthew Nelson, Mike Rottersman
Fourth Official: Mark Allatin
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
Attendance: 18,570
