After Review: Fire have work to do

Chicago Fire 1-2 DC United

CHICAGO, IL—VAR played a prominent part in the match, but perhaps more conspicuous was the porous attack of Chicago Fire FC that led to a 2-1 loss to DC United on a cold night at Soldier Field. 

The Fire would have sixteen shots, but just two would be on target on a night where premium scoring chances were hard to come by. Tai Baribo thought he had put DC United ahead in the 40th minute heading in a corner, but VAR determined that Jackson Hopkins was in an offside position while directly in front of Chris Brady’s line of vision. Thus, the first half ended goalless. 

Hopkins would be on the wrong end of another VAR decision as his handball was spotted in the area and the Fire were awarded a penalty that Hugo Cuypers duly converted the 81st minute. However, the lead lasted only three minutes as a pair of poor clearances put the ball at the feet of Matti Peltola whose shot deflected off a defender and in for the equalizer. 

VAR would come in again in second half stoppage time (of which there would ultimately be 18 minutes worth due to this and other lengthy stoppages) as Jonathan Dean’s handball was spotted in the area and DC would go to the spot where Baribo put DC ahead for good. 

It was a match that the Fire did not deserve to win according to Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter as he feels that his not are not embracing the challenges that are being put before them. 

“To me, it’s about embracing the battle of the game, embracing what the game was going to bring us,” said Berhalter. “We had a lot of respect for D.C. and what they could do. We knew they’re a physical team and good defensively, they don’t give up a lot of chances. So we knew that coming into the game. It’s just respecting that and understanding that the game may not be a wide open game where we’re going to have to struggle for chances but staying patient, staying focused.”

The Fire travel to winless Philadelphia Union next Saturday at 6:30pm CT on Apple TV. While VAR played a prominent role in this match. The video sessions during training this week for the Fire should play a prominent role as to lessons that need to be learned in order to right the ship and how to play against a physical team like DC.

“This could be a little bit of a wake-up call playing a physical team today,” said Fire midfielder Phillip Zinckernagel. “Hopefully we’ll be better prepared for the next one. Again away, we’re normally pretty good. I think we’re going to be fine. There’s a hunger in this group to get better and I’m sure we’re not going to lose two games in a row.” 

Photos by Leslie Smith.

SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Hugo Cuypers (penalty kick) 81
DC-Matti Peltola (unassisted) 84
DC-Tai Baribo (penalty kick) 90+5

BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Phillip Zinckernagel (caution, simulation) 24
DC-Jackson Hopkins (caution, reckless tackle) 34
CHI-Jack Elliott (caution, tactical foul) 56
CHI-Dje D’Avilla (caution, kicking the ball away) 64

CHICAGO FIRE (4-3-3):  #1-Chris Brady; #24-Jonathan Dean (#14-Viktor Radojevic 90+6) , #4-Mbakezeli Mbokazi, #3-Jack Elliott (#16-Joel Waterman 65), #2-Leonardo Barroso (#27-Dylan Borso 90+6); #11-Phillip Zinckernagel, #42-Dje D’Avilla (#22-Mauricio Pineda 65), #6-Anton Saletros; #19-Jonathan Bamba, #9-Hugo Cuypers, #17-Robin Lod (#7-Maren Haile-Selassie 65)

Subs not used:  #44-Josh Cohen, #35-Sergio Oregel, #20-Jason Shokalook, #12-Puso Dithejane

DC UNITED (4-4-2):  #1-Sean Johnson; #6-Keisuke Kurokawa, #15-Kye Rowles, #3-Lucas Bartlett, #5-Silvan Hefti; #7-Joao Peglow (#17-Jacob Murrell 86), #23-Brandon Servana (#13-Sean Nealis 90+5), #4-Matti Peltola, #25-Jackson Hopkins; #9-Tai Baribo, #10-Gabriel Pirani (#30-Caden Clark 78)

Subs not used:  #24-Jordan Farr, #29-Alex Bono, #8-Jared Stroud, #77-Hosei Kijima, #12-Conner Antley, #48-Gavin Turner

EXPECTED GOALS:  CHI 2.0-1.3 DC
TOTAL SHOTS:  CHI 16-11 DC
SHOTS ON GOAL:  CHI 2-3 DC
FOULS:  CHI 12-11 DC
OFFSIDES:  CHI 2-3 DC
CORNER KICKS:  CHI 3-5 DC
SAVES:  CHI 1-1 DC

Referee:  Sergii Demianchuk
Assistant Referees:  Corey Parker, Mike Nickerson
4th Official:  Ataman Yaya
VAR:  Younes Marrakchi
AVAR:  Rhett Hammil
Attendance:  
Weather:  Windy and 38º
Man of the Match:  Tai Baribo (DC)

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