CHICAGO (April 8, 2024) - Chicago Fire FC Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 8 following his performance in Saturday evening’s 2-1 win against Houston Dynamo FC.
Captain Shaqiri scored his second goal of the season and assisted Homegrown midfielder Brian Gutiérrez’s team-leading third goal of the year to propel the Men in Red to back-to-back victories at home. The 2-1 result also marked Houston’s first loss since March 2, with Chicago snapping a three-game winning streak for the Dynamo.
Shaqiri sent home his second penalty kick of the year when referee Malik Badawi pointed to the penalty spot after defender Rafael Czichos was fouled in the box during a Fire corner kick. Shaqiri coolly placed the ball into the bottom right corner from the spot, sending goalkeeper Steve Clark the wrong way to register the Fire’s fastest goal of the season in the 10th minute.
In the 78th minute, Shaqiri played a precise pass over the defense to Brian Gutiérrez, who was streaking in behind. With the goalkeeper charging off his line, the Chicago native hit a first-time effort on the bounce, lobbing Clark from outside the box to score the game-winner.
Chicago travels to the East Coast to face the New York Red Bulls for its lone road game of the month on Saturday, April 13. Kickoff at Red Bull Arena is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT and the match will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass. The match will also be transmitted locally via wlsam.com in English and WRTO 1200 AM in Spanish.
