Murrel magic denies Fire victory

CHICAGO, IL–Chicago Fire FC opened its home part of the season on one of the coldest evenings in its history. Temperatures were hovering in the upper 20s but didn’t stop 20,372 fans that came out for the match at Soldier Field.

Jacob Murrell left the fans in awe and in chills with a bicycle kick. It went over the hands of Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Brady and under the crossbar on the final opportunity for DC United as Aaron Herrera assisted with a cross in the 96th minute.

“I really didn’t see much and saw it late,” Brady said. “The next thing I knew the ball was higher than I could get to and further I could get to. So, I saw it late. It’s really disappointing.”

Chicago Fire FC and DC United ended up in a 2-2 draw with the unusual finish on a chilly night.

“It’s all about closing down and we’re disappointed with that,” Chicago Fire head coach Greg Berhalter said. “We could’ve been much better than that being calm and moving into our positions. There were a number of crosses. I know they have great players. This is what it’s about, you learn about things late in a game.”

Each club earned a point for the result, but it could’ve ended in favor of seeing three points either way.

DC United scored early in the fourth minute of play. Christian Benteke scored off a touch pass from Gabriel Pirani and beat Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Brady for a 1-0 lead.

The Fire pulled even in the 30th minute on Hugo Cuypers’s first goal of the season on a header near the back post. Phillip Zinckernagle sent a corner kick into the goal area. Zack Elliott head flicked the ball off to Cuypers.

Cuypers got a brace and put the Fire in front in the 71st minute with a volley kick near the back post. It was set up on another Zincklenagle corner kick that was flicked once again off the head of Elliott.

Then, the Fire had the unfortunate thing happen late in the match. Sam Rogers handled the ball in the penalty area in the 89th minute. Benteke took the penalty kick for DC United in the 90th minute, but it sailed over the crossbar.

Chicago Fire hits the road next weekend with a match in Dallas on Saturday evening (7:30pm CT, Apple TV), while DC United hosts Sporting Kansas City.

“That’s the goal and the intention and need to use this time to keep getting better,” Berhalter said. “It’s something to strive for. For us, it’s keep improving. We have to brush it off and go again. The beaty of this league you can beat anybody, prepare for every opponent that you see, and do the work. We will go on the road the next few games; we should be fine competing and give our best effort.”

DC-Benteke (Pirani) 4

CHI-Cuypers (Elliott) 30

CHI-Cuypers (Elliott) 71

DC-Murrell (Herrera) 96

DC United-Rowles (yellow, unsporting behavior) 42

DC United- Herrera (yellow, unsporting behavior) 50

CHI-Rogers (yellow, handball in the penalty area) 89

DC United – Schnegg (yellow, unsporting behavior) 93

CHICAGO FIRE (4-3-2-1): #34-Brady, #15-Gutman, #4-Carlos Teran (#5-Rogers 1), #3-Elliott, #24- Dean, #23-Acosta, #35-Oreoel (#34-Gonzalez 85), #47-Williams (#22-Pineda 84), #19-Bamba, #9-Cuypers (#12-Barlow 72), #15-Zinckernagel (#26-Glasgow 72).

Subs not used: #25-Gal, #36-Reynolds, #45-Osario, #38-Cupps.

DC UNITED (4-3-3): #1-Joon-Hong, #22-Herrera, #15-Rowles, #3-Bartlett, #28-Schnegg, #6-Enow (#14-Badji 75), #23-Servania (#4-Peltola 61), #8-Stroud (#17-Murrell 61), #10-Pirani, #77-Kijima (#44-Zouhr 84), #20-Benteke.

Subs not used:  #44-Zouhr, #13-Barazza, #5-MacNaughton, #18-Dodson, #99-Barajas, #16-Tubbs.

TOTAL SHOTS:  CHI 11-19 DC

SHOTS ON GOAL:  CHI 4-6 DC
FOULS:  CHI 13-17 DC
OFFSIDES:  CHI 0-3 DC
CORNER KICKS:  CHI 5-10 DC
SAVES:  CHI 4-2 DC

Referee: Marcos de Oliviera
Assistant Referees: Jeffrey Greeson and Walt Heatherly

Fourth Official: Nabil Bensalah

VAR: Younes Marrakchi

AVAR: Craig Lowry

Weather: Mostly clear and 27º

Attendance: 20,372

Man of the Match: Jacob Murrell (DC United)

Follow us on bluesky

Follow us on Twitter