MONTREAL, Quebec (Sept. 2, 2017) – The Chicago Fire secured their 13th win of the season and their third road victory with a 1-0 win over the Montreal Impact Saturday at Stade Saputo. Bastian Schweinsteiger delivered the game-winning goal in the 59th minute, finishing a service from defender Matt Polster for Schweinsteiger's third goal in Major League Soccer.
In addition to netting the game’s only goal, Schweinsteiger also was involved in one of the night’s other key moments. Montreal defender Deian Boldor committed a foul on Schweinsteiger near midfield and, after a Video Review, was issued a red card for the reckless challenge, leaving the Impact shorthanded for the game's final 40-plus minutes.
For his part, Polster recorded his fifth assist of the year in his first appearance for the Fire since August 12, returning from a knee injury that excluded him from three straight matches. Polster received a long pass from midfielder Djordje Mihailovic and, after eluding one defender on the end line, slipped a pass directly to Schweinsteiger for the goal.
Polster also nearly created a breakthrough for the Fire in the game’s 10th minute, hitting a dangerous cross into the 6-yard box and was deflected on goal by an Impact defender, with only a reaction save by Evan Bush preventing the Montreal own goal.
Impact star Ignacio Piatti nearly leveled the score in the 80th minute, creating space at the top of the penalty box and firing a shot off the left post.
The game’s final minutes still had moments of drama to offer, first when Fire substitute Arturo Alvarez saw his breakaway attempt saved off the goal line by Montreal defender Kyle Fisher. Then, just seconds before the final whistle, Piatti found a clear look at goal with a chance to equalize for the home side, but his effort was into the hands of Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson.
Schweinsteiger, who exited the match in the 79th minute after sustaining a right thigh injury, was named the Fire’s Krakus Polish Ham Man of the Match.
Chicago now returns to Toyota Park for its next two matches, beginning with a test against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday (Sept. 9) at 3 p.m. The match will air live on UniMas and on Univision América 1200 AM.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (13-9-5, 44 pts.) 1:0 Montreal Impact (10-10-6, 36 points)
Sept. 2, 2017 – Stade Saputo
Attendance: 19,619
Scoring Summary:
CHI — Bastian Schweinsteiger (Matt Polster) 59’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI — Juninho (caution) 38’
MTL — Deian Boldor (ejection) 50’
MTL — Marco Donadel (caution) 70’
CHI — Michael de Leeuw (caution) 90+2’
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson; Matt Polster, Johan Kappelhof, Jonathan Campbell, Patrick Doody (Brandon Vincent 89'); Juninho, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Drew Conner 79'), Djordje Mihailovic (Arturo Alvarez 90'); Michael de Leeuw, Nemanja Nikolic, Luis Solignac
Subs not used: Richard Sanchez, Michael Harrington, Brandt Bronico, David Arshakyan
Shots: 8; Shots On-Goal: 2; Saves: 2; Fouls: 15; Corners: 4; Offsides: 2
Montreal Impact: Evan Bush; Daniel Lovitz, Deian Boldor, Hassoun Camara, Victor Cabrera; Louis Beland-Goyette (Kyle Fisher 55'), Marco Donadel (Hernán Bernardello 77'), Patrice Bernier; Andrés Romero (Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla 66'), Ignacio Piatti, Matteo Mancosu
Subs not used: Maxime Crépeau, Chris Duvall, Dominic Oduro, Michael Salazar
Shots: 11; Shots On-Goal: 2; Saves: 2; Fouls: 15; Corners: 5; Offsides: 1
