Chicago Fire FC (3-6-8, 17 points) fell 2-1 to the Columbus Crew (8-6-3, 27 points) at Soldier Field on Saturday night. The result marked the Fire’s first loss at home through nine League matches played this season.
Chicago had several strong chances early in the match, starting when midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie dodged defenders in the ninth minute to send a ball across the box to defender Miguel Navarro who sent the ball flying high just above the top of the net. The pair would repeat the play a few short minutes later for another exciting chance just missing. Forward Kei Kamara had his first opportunity in the 16th minute, sending the ball straight up the middle towards Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, but the ball sailed above the crossbar. Less than 10 minutes later, Kamara had another big moment, battling with two Crew defenders, escaping with the ball and sending a hard shot toward the net, but Schulte was able to swat the ball away off to his left side.
Columbus’ first opportunity would come in the 34th minute, with Crew midfielder Alex Morris sending a header from the center of the box just over the top of the crossbar out of reach of Fire goalkeeper Spencer Richey’s finger tips. Five minutes later, Columbus forward Cucho Hernández would earn a free kick in their attacking half, but midfielder Lucas Zelarayán’s attempt would be blocked by the Fire. In first-half stoppage time, Zelarayán sent a left footed shot from outside the box at the center of the goal, but Richey was able to secure it.
The first goal of the match wouldn’t come until the 59th minute, when Columbus captain Darlington Nagbe sent a perfectly placed pass to Hernández, who managed to sneak the ball inside past Richey.
Chicago nearly evened the match in the 86th minute, with midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri taking a free kick won by midfielder Jairo Torres from the left side of the pitch. The ball bounced between several different Fire players before moving through to captain Rafael Czichos, who was ruled offsides.
Two minutes later, Shaqiri would put Chicago on the board, scoring his first goal of the 2023 MLS season after receiving a driven cross from Miguel Navarro. However, the Crew would quickly follow, with Zelarayán adding another goal from long range to close out the match in second half stoppage time.
NEXT MATCH: Chicago heads to the Rose City to face the Portland Timbers at 9:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, June 21 at Providence Park. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV+, streamed in English on wlsam.com, and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
Social: Twitter - @chicagofire, @vamosfire (Hashtags: #CF97 #VamosFire) | Instagram - @chicagofire | Facebook
Notes:
- Tonight marked Chicago’s first home loss since October 2022. In their first eight MLS matches at home this season, Chicago were unbeaten with two wins and six draws. Before tonight, the Crew had won just one of their last 14 regular season away matches (1-7-6), dating back to their 3-2 win at the Fire last July.
- Seven changes were made to the lineup that faced FC Cincinnati in Matchday 17 on June 3 at TQL Stadium, with head coach Frank Klopas rotating the squad to play its 11th game in the last six weeks.
- Forward Kei Kamara returned to the 11 after alternating the previous MLS regular season match with Kacper Przybyłko up front.
- Brian Gutiérrez lined up in the XI for the second-straight regular season match, lining up next to Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri.
- Federico Navarro started for a fourth-straight match, joined by fellow Argentine Gastón Giménez for the fourth time this season.
- Captain Rafael Czichos returned to the lineup, next to Maren Haile-Selassie, Arnaud Souquet, Mauricio Pineda and Miguel Navarro.
- Goalkeeper Spencer Richey backstopped the group from the outset for the third time in League play this season.
- Goalkeeper Chris Brady (head), defender Carlos Terán (right knee) and midfielder Chris Mueller (right upper leg) were unavailable for selection tonight.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 1:2 Columbus Crew
Goals:
CLB - Hernández (4) (Nagbe, 1) (WATCH) 59’
CHI - Xherdan Shaqiri (1) (M. Navarro, 2) (WATCH) 88’
CLB - Zelarayán (8) (A. Morris, 3) (WATCH) 90+3’
Discipline:
CLB - Amundsen (Yellow Card) 20’
CLB - Zawadski (Yellow Card) 25’
CHI - M. Navarro (Yellow Card) 45+5’
CLB - Farsi (Yellow Card) 81’
CHI - Herbers (Yellow Card) 89’
CLB - Zelarayán (Yellow Card) 90+4’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Richey, D Souquet (Dean, 78’), D Pineda, Czichos (capt.), D M. Navarro, M Haile-Selassie (Torres, 78’), M F. Navarro, M Giménez (Herbers, 80’), M Gutiérrez (Koutsias, 63’) M Shaqiri, F Kamara (Przybyłko, 63’)
Subs not used: GK Gal, D Omsberg, D Burks, D Aceves
Columbus Crew: GK Schulte, D Amundsen, D Farsi, D Moreira, M Zawadzki, M Nagbe (capt.), M A. Morris, M Zelarayán (Russell-Rowe, 90+6’), M Yeboah, F Hernández, F Ramírez (Mățan, 80’)
Subs not used: GK Bush, D Quinton, D Medrana, M Molino, M Parente, M Arfsten
Stats Summary: CHI / CLB
Shots: 7 / 12
Shots on Goal: 2 / 4
Saves: 2 / 1
Passing Accuracy: 80.5% / 87.2%
Corners: 1 / 1
Fouls: 10 / 11
Offsides: 7 / 10
Possession: 43.1% / 56.9%
Attendance: 18,892
Referee: Mark Allatin
Assistant Referees: Chris Elliott, Mike Rottersman
Fourth Official: Matthew Corrigan
VAR: Sorin Stoica
Asst. VAR: TJ Zablocki
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas
On what happened in the match...
“You saw it. I thought that we had a really good, excellent 45 minutes, I would say. And then we came out the second half and you can see that we seemed a little bit fatigued or a little bit heavy-legged. I mean, if you look at the goals that we give up, we turn the ball over, it's a shot from 35, deflection. And then you know, another turnover there and it's a shot from 50, 60 yards out. So that's a hard one.
The effort was really good from the guys. We made changes, I felt, that brought energy into the pitch and we got back into the game and, you know, obviously we had chances and maybe we could have scored another one. But you know, it's a tough one when you come back like that and to give up one in the end like that. It's really unbelievable. The break would have been great, obviously, maybe it's good that we have this break in three days, a little bit, for the guys to recover and then there's a lot of games left in the season. It's tough to lose in this way.”
On reaching a break following a long run of matches...
“Yeah, it's just always good to go on a break on a positive note. Obviously, this is, we'll take it. You want to go on a positive note, but obviously the last two matches, with the Open Cup and then this one. I mean, obviously playing here in front of our fans, we came with out really good energy. We played really well 45 minutes and then I think we dropped our tempo a little bit.
So, I think it's a good time to have a break. Obviously, would have been better going in with a win or with points but we'll take it right now and regroup. Obviously, we're gonna miss some guys because they're away with national team duty. And hopefully they have safe travels and they're back healthy.”
On the message to the team during an extended break...
"I just think that, you know, we're in this thing together to the end. I mean, there's a lot of games left to be to be played. Obviously, it's difficult getting points on the road so we know these points are home are very crucial and important. I knew we were playing a good team but we played extremely well. We had some really good chances the first half that we created, we were dominating in possession.
So, the message is the same. We have the next game to look forward to. I think it gives us an opportunity to work on things that we didn't have the luxury to do so with the amount of games, so I think that's going to be helpful and beneficial. And then it's just the next opponent. I'm always, I think there's got to be a commitment – and there is – a mentality with the guys that, you know, we need to do whatever it takes to try to reach the goals. There's a lot of games left; you put two or three wins together and it changes everything in this league. I think there's a tough stretch also coming up now when we come back, because we go to Portland and then KC; Leagues Cup I think after that and then in July, you have a four-game stretch at home.
But we just got to manage moments in games a little bit different, because if you look at tonight, the goals that we gave up and then the goals we scored and the opportunities we have, sometimes doesn't add up. But that's the game. I know it's a difficult one for all of us tonight and even our fans, but you know, I know one way, and I think the team, and that’s just to look forward and keep working."
On the message to the team in the locker room...
“The locker room was quiet, don't expect anything else. The message was for me, I think that I had no issue at all with the effort that the guys put forth. But on the other hand, it's just managing games and moments in the game. And again, if you look at the way we, the goals we gave up and then the goals we scored and the chances we created. But, you know, it was a quiet locker room. But I spoke to the team and I just said look, it's a tough one, we got to move forward. There's a lot of games to play, we got to stick together and then we got to do everything that we can in our power to reach our goals and that's the message. I wished the guys that were leaving safe travels and all the best. And I think three days away from each other will be great and then we're back to work.”
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez
On the message from Head Coach Frank Klopas on the match…
“Yeah a tough result, bitter result conceding towards the end of the game. Unfortunate, really unlucky. There's a whole other half of the season. Got to take these three days off as an advantage to rest the mind and get back for Portland. And believe as a group, as a unit.”
On if the International break is perfect timing considering the heavy amount of games played within the last month…
“Yeah, for sure. Obviously, there's a bunch of games we had with the [Lamar Hunt U.S.] Open Cup. Yeah, it honestly can get you mentally and physically and I think we have a much needed break for us.”
On how he is feeling physically with his game time….
“Just trying to do my best, I'll help the team as much as I can. And trying to play as many minutes [as possible]. And if the coach calls on me I'm always ready.”
On his recovery plan for the next few weeks…
“Well for sure. Just rest. Rest the mind, rest the legs, which we need. And trying to get back after it. Next week will be a good first full week of training and hopefully we start off the week good. And we keep the momentum and are looking forward to Portland.”
On how he stays positive as a young player during difficult times…
“As you reflect on the games you do. You see video, you try to do your best and try to see what you need to improve, what you’re doing good at. And just trying to improve everyday and work as much as I can.”