Fire attack steps up to melt Whitecaps

Chicago Fire FC 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

CHICAGO, IL—The match that was supposed to have been played on July 16th but was postponed due to wildfire smoke took place on Tuesday and Chicago Fire FC ended up on top of Vancouver, 3-1. The win moves the Fire to fourth and one point behind both Inter Miami and New England. The Whitecaps remain three points on top in the Western Conference, but are now within the sights of St. Louis and FC Dallas.

Both Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski started on the bench and came on as second half subs. One would get on the score sheet, the other would not.

Photo: Leslie Smith

Before that, the Fire would take the lead just nine minutes in. Jonathan Bamba collected a ball from Anton Saletros and came towards the center and scored from outside the area for his first goal since March 21st. The Fire had a chance to make it two before halftime from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, but Philip Zinckernagel shot it off the post. It’s the fourth penalty miss by the Fire this season (two by Zinckernagel and two by Hugo Cuypers).

Zinckernagel would make amends five minutes into the second half. After Leonardo Barroso made a run into the box, he set up a give-and-go between Zinckernagel and Maren Haile-Selassie which the former would finish.

Vancouver had fourteen shots on the night, but only two on target. One of those would go in in the 73rd minute as Mathias Laborda’s header went in off Josh Cohen and into the net.

However, Vancouver rarely looked like getting an equalizer and the Fire would end up getting a third in the 88th minute. A back heel pass by Johan Gomez allowed Robert Lewandowski to get in behind the defense and he unselfishly laid the ball off to Haile-Selassie to put into the empty net with Yohei Takaoka at sea.

Photo: Lesie Smith

“It was a very, very strong performance against a very good team,” said Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter. :We knew what [Vancouver brings]. We knowcthe physicality, the intensity that they bring to the game. We know their pressing is very good, and we matched it, and for most of the game, exceeded it. Our pressure was excellent. We put their goalie under a ton of pressure early in the game.

It’s been a much improved Fire side over the last two matches and against the second stingiest defense in Major League Soccer, the Fire received contributions from nearly all of their attackers.

“Almost all of our attacking players got a goal or an assist today,” said Fire midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie. “At this time of the year, we need everybody at their peak. It’s great that our attacking players are getting their goals and assists. Our defense was outstanding today as well. Everybody had a great game in my opinion. We each battled and fought for each other. We have to keep up the momentum because the games are not going to be any less important moving forward.“

The Fire return to action Saturday at home against New York City FC for a 1:30pm CT kickoff (Apple TV). Vancouver will look to rebound at Los Angeles FC on Saturday (7:30pm PT, Apple TV).

Photos by Leslie Smith

SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Jonathan Bamba (Saletros) 9
CHI-Philip Zinckernagel (Haile-Selassie) 50
VAN-Mathias Laborda (Larraz) 73
CHI-Maren Haile-Selassie (Lewandowski, Gomez) 88

BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Philip Zinckernagel (caution, reckless tackle) 19
CHI-Jonathan Dean (caution, tactical foul) 55
VAN-Tate Johnson (caution, tactical foul) 61

CHICAGO FIRE (4-3-3): #44-Josh Cohen; #2-Leonardo Barroso, #4-Mbekezeli Mbokazi, #3-Jack Elliott, #24-Jonathan Dean; #7-Maren Haile-Selassie, #42-Dje D’Avilla, #6-Anton Saletros (#22-Mauricio Pineda 46); #19-Jonathan Bamba (#9-Robert Lewandowki 76), #18-Johan Gomez (#29-David Poreba 90+3), #11-Philip Zinckernagel (#12-Puso Dithejane 76)

Subs not used: #25-Jeff Gal, #5-Sam Rogers, #15-Andrew Gutman, #21-Andreas Henche-Olsen, #35-Sergio Oregel Jr.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC (4-2-3-1): #1-Yohei Takaoka; #28-Tate Johnson (#3-Sam Adekugbe 73), #33-Tristan Blackmon, #2-Mathias Laborda, #70-Rui Modesto; #23-Aleska Cvetkovic (#13-Thomas Muller 46), #8-Oliver Larraz (#19-Rayan Elloumi 89); #11-Emmanuel Sabbi (#14-Bruno Caicedo 58), #25-Ryan Gauld, #7-Cheikh Sabaly (#77-Tadaly Diaby 58); #24-Brian White

Subs not used: #32-Issac Boehmer, #4-Ranko Veselinovic, #15-Sebastian Ramirez, #41-Nikola Djordjevic

EXPECTED GOALS: CHI 3.4-1.0 VAN
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 21-14 VAN
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 8-2 VAN
FOULS: CHI 9-11 VAN
OFFSIDES: CHI 2-5 VAN
CORNER KICKS: CHI 2-8 VAN
SAVES: CHI 1-5 VAN

Referee: Sergii Boiko
Referee’s Assistants: Jeremy Kieso, Jeffrey Greeson
4th Official: Lukasz Szpala
VAR: Ismir Pekmic
AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
Weather: Clear and 68º
Attendance: 31,381
Man of the Match: Maren Haile-Selassie (CHI)