CHICAGO(Oct. 17, 2020) - Chicago Fire FC (5-8-5, 20 points) earned a hard-fought point against Sporting Kansas City (9-2-7, 30 points) this afternoon, scoring in the 95th minute to earn a 2-2 tie at Soldier Field. Extending their home unbeaten streak to five games, Chicago again moves above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference.
Kansas City opened the scoring in the 35th minute, capitalizing on a Fire turnover in the midfield that resulted in a counterattack. Midfielder Gadi Kinda, who contributed to both of SKC’s goals in the game, stole the ball in the center circle, dribbled upfield and played it for Erik Hurtado near the edge of the eighteen-yard box. Hurtado took one touch and slotted home his fourth goal of the year.
Chicago capitalized on a corner kick just before halftime, leveling the match 1-1. Midfielder Álvaro Medrán delivered a set piece that eventually popped up to the Fire’s Wyatt Omsberg. The tall defender headed the ball to forward Robert Berić. The Slovenian struck it first time on frame and the shot appeared to be cleared off the line by Kansas City’s Amadou Dia. The shot was initially determined not to be a goal. However, after a review by video assistant referee (VAR), it was determined that the ball had crossed the goal line, giving Berić his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
Sporting Kansas City was able to take the lead in the 83rd minute with a goal off a corner kick. The Johnny Russell-delivered corner was flicked on by Ilie Sanchez and finished at the backpost by midfielder Gadi Kinda, who is on loan from Israeli Premier League side Beitar Jerusalem.
Chicago, who dominated the possession battle 56-44, eventually scored the game-tying goal in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time. Two Homegrown Players combined as Djordje Mihailović scored his second goal of the season after receiving a long ball from Mauricio Pineda. SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia tried to corral the long pass but missed, allowing Mihailović to take advantage of the mistake by patiently taking a touch and beating two Kansas City defenders for the goal.
Next on the schedule: Chicago Fire FC will host New York Red Bulls at Soldier Field on Saturday, Oct. 24. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on WGN-TV and ESPN+ and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200AM. The pregame show, presented by CIBC, will begin at 6:15 p.m. CT. The Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire, will host the Club’s first-ever virtual fundraiser, “RAISE for P.L.A.Y.S.,” that will coincide with the Fire vs. Red Bulls broadcast. More information on “RAISE for P.L.A.Y.S.” can be found here.
Notes:
- The Fire moved back into a playoff position in the Eastern Conference (10th place, 20 points).
- Chicago remains unbeaten at Soldier Field in the last five matches. Chicago is now 4-1-2 since returning to the lakefront at historic Soldier Field.
- Forward Robert Berić scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
- Defender Wyatt Omsberg, who made his second straight start, earned the first assist of his MLS career.
- Midfielder Djordje Mihailović scored his second goal of the season and the seventh of his professional career.
- Chicago controlled 56% of the possession in the match.
- Captain Francisco Calvo returned from a one-game suspension due to yellow card accumulation.
- Chicago Fire FC was set to play on the road on Wednesday against Minnesota United FC but the match was postponed due to a suspected case of COVID-19 among the Minnesota United team delegation. Further information about a new match date and time will be announced at a later date.
- Gastón Giménez (Paraguay) and Miguel Navarro (Venezuela) were unavailable for selection as the pair were called up to national team duty for a pair of CONMEBOL 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. The Fire teammates faced each other on Tuesday night, when Paraguay traveled to face Venezuela at Metropolitano de Merida Stadium in Merida, Venezuela. Giménez scored his first international goal for Paraguay, an 85th-minute match-winner that secured a 1-0 victory. Giménez put in a 90-minute shift in what was his second start for Paraguay. Navarro was available on Venezuela’s bench for the match.
- Game highlights can be viewed here.
Goals:
- SKC - Erik Hurtado (4) (Kinda 3) 35’
- CHI - Robert Berić (8) (Omsberg 1) 45+2’
- SKC - Gadi Kinda (5) (Sanchez 1, Russell 4) 83’
- CHI - Djordje Mihailović (2) 90+5'
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 2:2 Sporting Kansas City
Misconduct Summary:
- CHI - Pineda (Caution) 22’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić, D Bornstein, D Calvo ©, D Omsberg (M Gutiérrez90), M Medrán, M Pineda, F Aliseda (M Frankowski 60’), F Sapong (F Collier 80’), F Herbers (M Mihailović 60’), F Berić
Subs not used: M Azira, GK Sparrow, D N. Slonina, D Reynolds II, M Casas Jr.
Sporting Kansas City: GK Melia, D Puncec, D Dia, D Reid, D Lindsey, M Sanchez, M Kinda (M Hernandez 85’), M Busio, M Duke (M Espinoza 67’), F Russell ©, F Hurtado (F Shelton 78’)
Subs not used: D Fontas, D Besler, F Fernandes, F Salloi, GK Pulskamp, D Martins
Stats Summary: CHI / SKC
Shots: 8 / 8
Shots on Target: 4 / 5
Saves: 3 / 2
Corners: 5 / 4
Fouls: 12 / 10
Offsides: 3 / 2
Possession: 56.3% / 43.7%
Referee: David Gantar
Assistant Referees: Brian Poeschel, Adam Garner
Fourth Official: Silviu Petrescu
VAR: Chico Grajeda
