BRONX, N.Y. (July 22, 2017) –
The Chicago Fire
(11-4-5, 38 pts.)
saw their 11-match unbeaten run in MLS come to an end on Saturday afternoon, falling 2-1 to New York City FC
(11-6-4, 37 pts.)
at Yankee Stadium. Second half goals from David Villa and Frederic Brillant were ultimately enough to overcome a David Accam golazo and claim three points for the hosts.
MLS Matchcenter | Highlights | Quotes
City provided the game’s early drama, as midfielder Yangel Herrera was ejected in the 12th minute of the match after receiving a second yellow card in a span of four minutes. Herrera was first cautioned in the eighth minute for a hard challenge on Chicago defender Joao Meira in the Fire defensive half, before being sent off for chopping down Bastian Schweinsteiger just four minutes later.
With the man advantage, the Fire took on the majority of possession for the remainder of the half. Goalkeepers Matt Lampson and former Fire stopper Sean Johnson each came up with a pair of timely saves to help send the match to the break scoreless. Johnson in particular was tested on a full-stretch denial of a deflected Johan Kappelhof attempt from outside the 18 in the half’s final moments.
New York City would break the draw early into the second half. Jonathan Lewis took control of the ball running wide into the Fire attacking third, and played a pass to the top of the Chicago 18 yard box to David Villa. Villa’s one-time volleyed attempt was struck low and past a diving Lampson to give the hosts the lead in the 47th minute. Moments later, City defender Frederic Brillant got his head on a free kick from Maxi Moralez to extend the City lead. His point-blank connection was denied by Lampson initially, but a second effort pushed it over the line to make the score 2-0 in the 50th.
Just four minutes later, super sub David Accam emphatically pulled one back for the visiting side. Finding the ball at his feet following a cleared Chicago corner attempt, Accam smashed home an attempt from distance off Johnson’s bar and down to make the score 2-1. It was Accam’s 11th goal of the season.
The Fire were unlucky not to find an equalizer over the game’s final 30+ minutes. MLS Golden Boot leader Nemanja Nikolic narrowly missed a pair connections from Arturo Alvarez and Daniel Johnson inside the New York City six-yard box, while Juninho had a rocketed attempt from distance clang off the post in second half stoppage time. The hosts would hang on to claim all three points at the full time whistle.
The loss marked the Fire’s first since April 29, ending a span of 11 straight matches unbeaten in MLS.
Defender Brandon Vincent was a pregame scratch from the starting lineup after suffering a quad strain during prematch warmups.
The Fire next take on Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, July 29. Kickoff is 7:00 p.m. CT at Children’s Mercy Park on CSN Chicago Plus and WRTO 1200AM.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (11-4-5, 38 pts.) 1:2 New York City FC (11-6-4, 37 pts.)
July 22, 2017 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 26,025
Scoring Summary:
NYC – David Villa (Jonathan Lewis) 47’
NYC – Frederic Brillant 50’
CHI – David Accam 54'
Misconduct Summary:
NYC – Yangel Herrera (caution) 8’
NYC – Yangel Herrera (ejection) 12’
CHI – Joao Meira (caution) 44’
CHI – Johan Kappelhof (caution) 61’
NYC – Jack Harrison (caution) 83’
NYC – Frederic Brillant (caution) 87'
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson, Matt Polster (Djordje Mihailovic 54’), Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Michael Harrington, Juninho ©, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luis Solignac (
David Accam 46’)
, Michael de Leeuw (Daniel Johnson 69’), Arturo Alvarez, Nemanja Nikolic.
Subs not used: Stefan Cleveland, Drew Conner, Jonathan Campbell.
Shots: 25; Shots On-Goal: 9; Saves: 4; Fouls: 13; Corners: 8; Offsides: 4
New York City FC:
Sean Johnson, Ethan White, Frederic Brilliant, Alexander Callens, Ben Sweat (
Mikey Lopez 37'), Alexander Ring, Maximiliano Moralez, Yangel Herrera, Jack Harrison, Jonathan Lewis (
Sean Okoli72’)
, David Villa (Kwame Awuah 90+2’).
Subs not used: Eirik Johansen, RJ Allen, Andrea Pirlo, Thomas McNamara.
Shots: 15; Shots On-Goal: 6; Saves: 7; Fouls: 7; Corners: 2; Offsides: 3
