Fire subs prove difference in home win

Chicago Fire 2-1 Atlanta United

CHICAGO, IL—“Divine intervention”. That is how Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter described Hugo Cuypers penalty kick goal in the 14th minute which was by happenstance as it occurs days after Chicago-born Robert Provest became Pope Leo XIV.

As for the match itself, the Fire got their first home win in league play since September 14th as they overcame a late own goal and a late surge from Atlanta United to win, 2-1, before 22,741 at Soldier Field.

The win ends the Fire’s six-match winless streak in the league while Atlanta’s winless streak extends to six.

The penalty that led to Cuypers goal from the spot was a handball on Alesky Miranchuk. From there, the Fire kept on the attack for the rest of the first half, but could not add on to their lead despite an expected goals (xG) of 1.9 versus just 0.2 for Atlanta.

Atlanta would increase their xG in the second half they became the aggressors for most of the second half. However, they were have trouble putting shots on target thanks to the Fire defense. But Atlanta’s goal would come in the 80th minute as a cross from Miranchuk was flicked on by Jack Elliott, but then accidentally headed in the goal by Sam Rogers.

It looked to be two points lost yet again, but substitutes Rominigue Kouame, Omari Glasgow, and Maren Haile-Seleassie would combine on the match winner in the 86th minute. Haile-Selassie passed to Glasgow making a run down the right flank and then Glasgow crossed to Kouame for the finish.

The plan was to bring them on to protect the lead before the equalizer was scored. However, all three would provide the spark to three points.

“I think the the original plan was to put them in for defensive reasons,” said Berhalter. “But what we saw was we’re able to to get them in the attacking end also. Also, it was to us, it was pretty clear.

“We needed some fresh legs on there, and I think they came in and certainly made a difference. So to give give the legs and be able to to move from defensive role to offensive really quickly and and keep pressure on the opponent was important in that match. And that helped us get the the win for sure.”

The Fire travel to Charlotte to take on Charlotte FC next Saturday at 6:30pm on Apple TV.

SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Hugo Cuypers (penalty kick) 14
ATL-Sam Rogers (own goal) 80
CHI-Rominigue Kouame (Glasgow, Haile-Selassie) 86

BOOKING SUMMARY:
ATL-Ajani Fortune (caution, reckless tackle) 35
ATL-Alesky Miranchuk (caution, delaying a restart) 45+5
CHI-Mauricio Pineda (caution, tactical foul) 60
ATL-Emmanuel Latte-Lath (caution, unsporting behavior) 60
ATL-Ronny Deila (caution, dissent) 60
CHI-Sam Rogers (caution, endangering the goalkeeper) 73

CHICAGO FIRE (4-3-3): #25-Jeff Gal; #15-Andrew Gutman, #3-Jack Elliott, #5-Sam Rogers, #24-Jonathan Dean (#26-Omari Glasgow 81); #22-Mauricio Pineda, #17-Brian Gutierrez (#34-Omar Gonzalez 90), #35-Sergio Oregel (#6-Rominigue Kouame 81); #19-Jonathan Bamba, #9-Hugo Cuypers, #11-Phillip Zinckernagel (#7-Maren Haile-Selassie 81)

Subs not used: #31-Bryan Dowd, #23-Kellyn Acosta, #12-Tom Barlow, #38-Chris Cupps, #42-Dje D’Avilla

ATLANTA UNITED FC (5-4-1): #1-Brad Guzan; #2-Ronald Hernandez (#9-Saba Lobjanizdze 73), #44-Luis Abram, #3-Derrick Willams, #47-Matthew Edwards (#14-Jamal Thiare 90), #11-Brooks Lennon (#24-Noah Cobb 82); #59-Alesky Miranchuk, #35-Ajani Fortune (#8-Tristan Muyumba 73), #43-Mateusz Klich (#99-Bartosz Silsz 73), #10-Miguel Almiron; #19-Emmanuel Latte-Lath

Subs not used: #22-Josh Cohen, #70-Edwin Mosquera, #21-Efrain Morales, #20-Luke Brennan,

EXPECTED GOALS: CHI 2.9-0.7 ATL
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 18-12 ATL
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 8-2 ATL
FOULS: CHI 10-9 ATL
OFFSIDES: CHI 1-1 ATL
CORNER KICKS: CHI 8-1 ATL
SAVES: CHI 2-6 ATL

Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Assistant Referees: Chris Elliot, Ryan Graves
Fourth Official: Elivs Osmanovic
VAR: Kevin Stott
AVAR: Claudiu Badea
Weather: Sunny and 58º
Attendance: 22,741
Man of the Match: Rominigue Kouame (CHI)