CHICAGO (March 24, 2014) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in MLS Reserve League action Monday morning on the Toyota Park Turf Field. Andre Akpan got on the board first for the Red Bulls but a Giuseppe Gentile brace led the Fire to their first Reserve League victory of the season.
The Red Bulls opened scoring in the 21st minute when Marius Obekop whipped in a cross from the top of the 18 and found Andre Akpan on the edge of the six-yard box. With his back towards goal, Akpan took a touch to settle, turned and rifled his right-footed shot into the goal.
Three minutes later Marco Franco played the ball forward for Victor Pineda, who raced towards goal and found Giuseppe Gentile on the back post. On his first touch, Gentile sent this right-footed shot just out of Meara’s reach for the equalizer.
Gentile would again find the game-winning goal in 61st minute. Logan Pause received the ball and played a perfectly-weighted ball to Juan Luis Anangono. The Ecuadorian striker dribbled towards the end line and found Gentile unmarked on the back post, and the rookie forward’s shot gave the Fire the 2-1 victory.
Next up for the Fire Reserves is a friendly against NASL side Indy Eleven at the Boilermaker Soccer Complex on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., on Tuesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the Indy Eleven match cost $11 for general admission or $15 for reserved seating and are on sale at www.IndyEleven.com. Tickets will also be available at the gate on April 1.
Chicago Fire 2 – 1 New York Red Bulls
Chicago Fire: Kyle Reynish; Marco Franco, Patrick Ianni, Grant Lillard, Jacob Bushue^ (Mauricio Pineda 68’); Logan Pause ©, Chris Ritter, Victor Pineda, Giuseppe Gentile, Collin Fernandez; Juan Luis Anangono (Qudus Lawal 64’)
Subs not used: Patrick Nyarko, Alec Kann
*Chicago Fire Academy Player
^Guest Player
New York Red Bulls: Ryan Meara (Santi Costano 61’); Chris Duvall, Matt Miazga, Armando Lozano, Ambroise Oyongo; Conor Lade, Michael Bustamante (Chris Lema 77’), Ruben Bover; Marius Obekop, Eric Stevenson (Sam Adjei 86’), Andre Akpan
Subs not used: Arun Basuljevic
Scoring Summary
NY – Andre Akpan (Marius Obekop) 21’
CHI – Giuseppe Gentile (Victor Pineda) 24’
CHI – Giuseppe Gentile (Juan Luis Anangono, Logan Pause) 61’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Logan Pause (caution) 39’
NY – Ruben Bover (caution) 70’
Referee: Dimitar Chavdarov
Assistant Referees: Khalaf Al-Latayfeh, Cesar Ibarra
Fourth Official: Nikola Aleksic
