Categories: Chicago FireLeagues CupLiga MxMLS

Fire late show blows past Santos Laguna

Photo: Leslie Smith

Chicago Fire FC 3-1 Santos Laguna

BRIDGEVIEW, IL–It took a while to get going, but when Chicago Fire FC got going, then blazed by Santos Laguna, 3-1, in Leagues Cup action at SeatGeek Stadium. The Fire are now one of six MLS sides on six points in Phase One and are currently ranked third. More on that later on. Santos are eliminated from the competition as one of nine Liga MX sides on zero points.

However, it was the 35th-ranked of 36 teams in Leagues Cup that took the advantage through some good fortune in the 20th minute. Both Joel Watermen and Chris Brady missed on a clearing attempt and Ezequiel Bullaude put the ball into an empty net to give Santos a 1-0 advantage. Santos came into this match having won just once away from home in the last two years in Liga MX.

Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter made three substitutions at halftime to up the energy (he made seven changes to the starting lineup from last Thursday), including Philip Zinckernagel, and it ultimately paid off by the 72nd minute and Zinckernagel pushed through the Santos defense in front of goal and roofed it into the net for the equalizer.

At this point, Santos were trying to play for penalties, and ultimately paid the penalty as the Fire’s attack overcame them in the late stages. Puso Dithejane’s cross found Anton Saletros in the box and his shot deflected off Robin Lod and into the net to make it 2-1. Robert Lewandowski would add an insurance goal to secure the three points and put the Fire in a position to advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday.

“This is Leagues Cup soccer, right? Intensity, passion, physicality,” said Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter. ” The game had everything. I was really disappointed with the first half performance, not because we’re down one-nothing; the energy wasn’t what it needed to be. In the second half, it was flipped, and we brought the energy; we brought the speed into the game, which really helped us. We had a couple of chances in the first half to score a goal, but in the second half, we really turned it up and, in the end, got a good result. Now it’s about the next game and figuring out who’s fit, who’s healthy, and how to prepare for Cruz Azul.”

The match was also notable for 16-year old Homegrown Robert Turdean getting a start for the Fire in midfield. He would play 45 minutes.

“It’s an exciting moment for me and my family,” said Turdean. “I’ve always been waiting for this moment. It’s the next step of many. I’m proud to be able to play for the club I grew up at.

“I think at first it was a little bit fast, but after a few touches, I got used to it. After that it was smooth, and I
got myself into the game.”

The Fire will now face the #4-ranked team in Cruz Azul (2-1 winners over NYCFC) on Tbursday at 8pm CT(Apple TV). Cruz Azul are one of four Liga MX sides who can advance with a win of any kind, while the Fire will most likely advance with a win of their own.

Photos by Leslie Smith