BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Jason Johnson scored in the 92nd minute to earn the Chicago Fire three points in a 1-0 win against Western Conference leader Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday at Toyota Park.
Both of Johnson’s two goals since joining the Fire in a trade with Houston on April 13 have been clutch for the club. His first was a 94th-minute equalizer against the Columbus Crew on May 22 and he added a dramatic game-winner on Saturday.
WATCH: Match Highlights | Postmatch Player Reaction | Quotes
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<b>Frank Yallop Postmatch Reaction</b> |
The Fire had their foot on the gas-pedal for most of the evening, out-shooting their guests 16-10. It took just three minutes to find their first golden chance. Lovel Palmer lofted a cross to the back post, finding Mike Magee open. Magee’s ensuing header glanced off the top of his head and high over the target.
Nyarko was the next to knock on the door. Magee chipped a pass to Harry Shipp inside the area in the 19th minute, allowing the young midfielder to turn and cross toward the back post. Nyarko met the pass in the air, but his header was blocked from point-blank range by Seattle goalkeeper Troy Perkins.
Both sides traded chances as the match continued, but it was Chicago who finally broke through in second-half stoppage time thanks to a pair of second-half substitutions from head coach Frank Yallop. Michael Stephens carried the ball into Seattle’s half on a counter-attack and slid a through-ball to Johnson on the right wing. Johnson dribbled into the box, cut back onto his favored left foot and blasted a shot into the side netting for his third career MLS goal.
Match Stats and OPTA Chalkboard
Sean Johnson picked up his third clean sheet of the season. The defensive effort was especially timely for a Fire backline that had been decimated by absences due to injury and international duty. Palmer, Eric Gehrig, Adailton and Patrick Doody teamed up for the first time across the back. For Doody, a Homegrown Player signing during the 2015 offseason, it was his first career MLS start and appearance.
The last time Chicago won with a second-half stoppage-time winner was Oct. 24, 2014. Florent Sinama-Pongolle scored in the 91st minute to propel the Fire past Houston, 2-1.
The Men in Red return to action on Wednesday, July 15 against the Columbus Crew at Toyota Park. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (5-9-3, 18 pts.) 1:0 Seattle Sounders FC (10-8-2, 32 pts.)
July 11, 2015 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 18,528
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Jason Johnson (Michael Stephens) 90+2
Misconduct Summary:
SEA – Andy Craven (caution) 80
CHI – Razvan Cocis (caution) 82
CHI – Adailton (caution) 82
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Lovel Palmer, Eric Gehrig, Adailton Patrick Doody, Patrick Nyarko (Jason Johnson 65), Razvan Cocis, Matt Polster, Harry Shipp, ©Mike Magee (Guly do Prado 70), Kennedy Igboananike (Michael Stephens 83).
Shots: 16; Shots On Goal: 6; Saves: 2; Fouls: 13; Corner Kicks: 6; Offsides: 2.
Seattle Sounders FC: Troy Perkins, Tyrone Mears, Chad Marshall, ©Zach Scott, Dylan Remick, Christian Roldan (Michael Azira 83), Osvaldo Alonso, Gonzalo Pineda, Thomas (Andy Rose 69), Lamar Neagle, Chad Barrett (Andy Craven 65).
Shots: 10; Shots On Goal: 2; Saves: 5; Fouls: 11; Corner Kicks: 2; Offsides: 1.
