BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (June 10, 2017) – The Chicago Fire made it six in-a-row at home with a 2-0 win against Atlanta United FC on Saturday at Toyota Park.
Luis Solignac and Nemanja Nikolic each found the net for the Fire (8-3-4, 28 pts.), while Matt Lampson earned his fourth shutout of the season. The win also upped Chicago’s home record to 7-0-1, tying the Houston Dynamo for best home clip so far this season.
David Accam was the central figure in the buildup to Solignac’s goal. Bastian Schweinsteiger lofted a pass over Atlanta’s backline in the 29th minute, springing Accam. The Ghanaian speedster raced toward goal, circled Atlanta goalkeeper Alec Kann, slipped, and then cut back before centering a pass to Solignac for the easy finish. The goal was Solignac’s third of the season, while Accam notched his fifth assist.
The Fire’s second goal came from the penalty spot. Atlanta defender Tyrone Mears was whistled for a handball in the box on a corner kick from Accam. Nikolic stepped up to bury the penalty, his league-leading 12th goal of the season.
Chicago’s six-game winning streak at home is their longest in MLS regular season play since 2012. The Fire’s longest home winning streak in club history is eight, which was split between five wins to close the 2000 season and three to open 2001. The club’s longest streak in a single season is seven, which was accomplished in the Fire’s inaugural season in 1998.
The Fire return to action against Saint Louis FC in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play on Wednesday, June 14. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo.
Postmatch Reactions: Paunovic | Kappelhof | de Leeuw
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (8-3-4, 28 pts.) 2:0 Atlanta United FC (5-6-3, 18 pts.)
June 10, 2017 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 18,453
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Luis Solignac (David Accam) 29
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (penalty kick) 70
Misconduct Summary:
ATL – Kevin Kratz (caution) 39
CHI – Bastian Schweinsteiger (caution) 50
CHI – David Accam (caution) 59
ATL – Carlos Carmona (caution) 67
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson, Matt Polster, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent, Juninho © (Jonathan Campbell 65), Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luis Solignac (Drew Conner 59), Michael de Leeuw, David Accam (Arturo Alvarez 86), Nemanja Nikolic.
Subs not used: Stefan Cleveland, Daniel Johnson, Djordje Mihailovic, David Arshakyan.
Shots: 12; Shots On-Goal: 6; Saves: 2; Fouls: 14; Corners: 4; Offsides: 2
Atlanta United FC: Alex Kann, Tyrone Mears, Michael Parkhurst ©, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Greg Garza, Jeff Larentowicz (Josef Martinez 64), Carlos Carmona, Julian Gressel, Kevin Kratz (Miguel Almiron 64), Yamil Asad, Hector Villalba (Brandon Vazquez 76).
Subs not used: Kyle Reynish, Mark Bloom, Miles Robinson, Chris McCann.
Shots: 12; Shots On-Goal: 2; Saves: 4; Fouls: 12; Corners: 7; Offsides: 3
