ORLANDO, Fla. (July 23, 2020) - Chicago Fire FC (MLS is Back Tournament: 1-2-0, 3 points / MLS regular season: 1-3-1, 4 points) fell 2-0 to Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS is Back Tournament: 1-2-0, 3 points / MLS regular season: 2-3-0, 6 points) in its third match of the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.
In the first half, Chicago controlled the game, dominating Vancouver in shots (10-1) and possession (59-41 percent). Despite the non-stop attacking pressure from the Fire, the match remained level heading into halftime.
In the 63rd minute, the match entered a weather delay due to lightning. After a one hour and 33 minute delay, Vancouver took the lead two minutes into the return to play. Whitecaps FC defender Ali Adnan split a pass through the Fire backline to Yordy Reyna who took a touch and found the back of the net for Vancouver. Whitecaps FC doubled their lead with a goal from Cristian Dájome in the 71st minute.
The Fire nearly had a goal back in the 84th minute, which would have been enough to advance despite the loss, but a CJ Sapong goal was called back via video assistant referee (VAR) due to a handball.
With the loss the Fire have been eliminated from the MLS is Back Tournament after placing fourth in Group B. To view the MLS is Back Tournament standings, click here.
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Notes:
- Thursday’s match marked the Fire’s third and final group stage game in the MLS is Back Tournament.
- Chicago led Vancouver in shots (25-4), shots on target (5-2), possession (61-39) and corners (10-0).
- Defender Francisco Calvo captained the Fire and wore a captain’s armband that represents the Black Lives Matter movement. The armband was designed by Chicago-based artist and former Northwestern student-athlete Dwight White. For more information on the design, click here. Calvo has worn the captain’s armband in all five games this season.
- Forward Ignacio Aliseda made his first career MLS start in today’s match. Aliseda recently made his Fire debut on July 19 in the team’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Goals:
VAN - Yordy Reyna 65th minute (WATCH): Following an hour-long match delay, Yordy Reyna managed to score against the run of play, receiving a through ball from defender Ali Adnan before finding the back of the net.
VAN - Cristian Dájome 71st minute (WATCH): Midfielder Cristian Dájome provided the second goal of the game, running onto Reyna’s headed pass before scoring from inside the 18-yard box.
Key attacking plays:
CHI - Gastón Giménez 3rd minute: Running onto midfielder Álvaro Medrán’s curling corner kick, midfielder Giménez flicked a dangerous header on target, forcing a goal-line clearance.
CHI - Robert Berić 20th minute: Medrán played a quick pass in behind to forward Berić, who skipped past his marker before hitting a left-footed shot on target.
CHI - Przemysław Frankowski 47th minute: With the Fire dispossessing Vancouver deep in their own half, Medrán was played into the 18-yard box by forward Aliseda. Medrán played a precise cross to the back post for Frankowski, who rattled his header off the post from close range.
CHI - Robert Berić 54th minute: Berić received a well-weighted pass from defender Jonathan Bornstein on the edge of the 18-yard box and fired a strong attempt on target. Berić’s shot was the Fire’s 13th attempt of the match.
CHI - Przemysław Frankowski 58th minute: Frankowski powered his way into the final third and struck a low, driven attempt that skipped just wide of the far post.
CHI - Robert Berić 79th minute: The Fire created a strong opportunity to score when Giménez slipped a pass inside the 18-yard box for forward CJ Sapong, who pulled the ball back toward the center of the box for Berić. The striker’s first-time attempt went high of the target.
Box score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:2 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Scoring Summary:
VAN - Reyna (1) (Adnan 2) 65’
VAN - Dájome (2) (Reyna 1) 71’
Misconduct Summary:
VAN - Hasal (Caution) 71’
CHI - Giménez (Caution) 81’
CHI - Herbers (Caution) 90’ + 2’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Kronholm, D Frankowski, D Sekulić, D Pineda (F Collier 76’), D Calvo ©, D Bornstein (D Navarro 60’), M Giménez, M Medrán, M Herbers, F Berić, F Aliseda (F Sapong 59’)
Subs not used: GK Shuttleworth, GK Sparrow, D Omsberg, D N. Slonina, D Reynolds II, M Bronico, M Casas, M Mihailović
Shots: 25 Shots on goal: 5 Fouls: 14 Offsides: 2 Corners: 10 Possession: 61.2%
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: GK Hasal, D Veselinovic, D Cornelius, D Khmiri (M Dajome 45’+3’), D Nerwinski, D Adnan, M Hwang, M Owsu (D Gutierrez 63’), M Teibert ©, F Bair (M Milinkovic 62’), F Raposo (F Reyna 57’)
Subs not used: GK Sirois, M Metcalfe, M Colyn, M Baldisimo, M Pecile
Shots: 4 Shots on goal: 2 Fouls: 7 Offsides: 2 Corners: 0 Possession: 38.8%
Referee: Armando Villareal
Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Logan Brown
Fourth Official: Rubiel Vazquez
VAR: Timothy Ford
