Chicago Fire FC (6-7-8, 26 points) earned a 1-0 victory against Eastern Conference second-place squad Nashville SC (11-6-5, 38 points) at Soldier Field on Saturday Night.
Fabian Herbers provided the game-winner in the 33rd minute when he scored his third goal in the last four matches. With the victory, Chicago moves up to 11th place in the Eastern Conference, just below the playoff line tied with New York Red Bulls (10th place) and CF Montréal (ninth place) with 26 points.
The Fire would open the scoring in the 34th minute of play when Herbers carried the ball up the right flank and played a pass wide for Maren Haile-Selassie. The Swiss midfielder passed it back to the top of the box, where Herbers had continued his run. The German midfielder sent a laser toward the net, firing past goalkeeper Joe Willis for his fourth goal of the MLS regular season, and his fifth goal across all competitions in 2023 for the Fire.
Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady kept the score at zero in the 56th minute during a dangerous free kick opportunity just outside the Fire’s 18-yard-box. Second-half substitute Hany Mukhtar curled a well-placed ball just over the wall and toward the top left corner, but Brady stretched to swat the ball out of danger and secure his fourth clean sheet of the season.
With the result, Chicago has scored six goals in their last five matches, increasing the Club’s scoring streak to five-straight matches.
NEXT MATCH: The Fire will continue their homestand with the second of three consecutive home matches, facing off against CF Montréal at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, July 12 at Soldier Field. During Wednesday’s match, transport yourself to a galaxy far, far away as the Club hosts “Star Wars Night.” A special Stormtrooper bobblehead will be given away to the first 2,500 Jedi and Sith to enter the stadium, and throughout the match fans will be treated to special Star Wars-themed entertainment. 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:
- The Fire earned its seventh shutout across all competitions with tonight’s 1-0 victory.
- The Club has won three of its last four matches, including two wins on the road, securing nine out of a possible 12 points during that stretch.
- Chicago has lost just once in 10 MLS matches played at home in 2023 (3-1-6, 15 points).
- Tonight’s 1-0 victory marked the Club’s first-ever win over Nashville SC in MLS play through five all-time regular season meetings (1-2-2, 5 points).
- Fabian Herbers scored his fourth goal in League play this season. With the goal, the eight-year professional matched his career high for goals in a single MLS season, previously scoring four goals for the Fire in 2020.
- Herbers has now scored five goals across all competitions this season, including a finish in the Club’s U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 win over St. Louis CITY SC on May 9.
- Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady backstopped the team for the 18th time this season, making two big saves and earning his fourth clean sheet.
- Winger Maren Haile-Selassie tallied this third assist of the 2023 campaign. He ranks tied with midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri and defender Arnaud Souquet for the most assists on the team this season.
- Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas made four changes to the starting XI that took the field against Orlando City last Saturday.
- Mauricio Pineda returned to the backline in place of Carlos Terán, alongside captain Rafael Czichos. Miguel Navarro returned to the backline, and defender Jonathan Dean stepped in for Arnaud Souquet who was unavailable due to receiving two yellow cards in the previous match.
- Herbers made his fourth consecutive start, and 14th start in 2023, lining up in the midfield next to Gastón Giménez.
- Maren Haile-Selassie, Xherdan Shaqiri and Brian Gutiérrez started alongside each other for the second consecutive match.
- Greek forward Georgios Koutsias made his fifth MLS regular season match in a Fire shirt, leading the attack from the outset.
- Defenders Wyatt Omsberg (left lower leg) and Arnaud Souquet (suspension), midfielders Javier Casas Jr. (right upper arm), Chris Mueller (right upper leg) and Federico Navrro (right lower leg) and forward Victor Bezerra (right lower leg) were unavailable for tonight’s match.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 1:0 Nashville SC
Goals:
CHI - Herbers (4) (Haile-Selassie, 3) (WATCH) 34’
Discipline:
NSH - Leal (Yellow Card) 37’
CHI - Kamara (Yellow Card) 81’
NSH - Lovitz (Yellow Card) 86’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Brady, D Czichos (capt.), D M. Navarro, D Pineda, D Dean (Burks, 77’), M Haile-Selassie (Torres, 77’), M Herbers, M Giménez (Terán, 64’), M Gutiérrez, M Shaqiri (Aceves, 90+1’), F Koutsias (Kamara, 64’)
Subs not used: GK Gal, D Reynolds, F Rodríguez, F Przybyłko
Nashville SC: GK Willis, D Lovitz (Washington, 87’), D MacNaughton, D Maher, D Moore, M McCarty (capt.), M Leal (Zubak 87’), M Bunbury, M Muyl (Gregus, 71’), M Davis (Mukhtar, 46’), F Picault (Haakenson, 71’)
Subs not used: GK Panicco, D Bauer, M Anunga, M Wkye
Stats Summary: CHI / NSH
Shots: 6 / 18
Shots on Goal: 1 / 2
Saves: 2 / 0
Passing Accuracy: 80.8% / 83.9%
Corners: 2 / 10
Fouls: 8 / 12
Offsides: 1 / 1
Possession: 42% / 58%
Attendance: 22,348
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Assistant Referees: Jason White, Adam Wienckowski
Fourth Official: Alexandra Billeter
VAR: Kevin Stott
Asst. VAR: Emma Richards
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas
On the resilience shown in the victory...
“Look, I think it was a really good performance from the team overall. I think we had some really great individual performances, but from a collective standpoint, it was excellent. And we talked about the importance of the homestand now and obviously the second half of the season, how important these games at home are and finding ways to get results on the road. And I think this was huge because this is the first game from the three-game homestand. Having dropped the game in Orlando and not having such a good performance in the second half, I felt, it was huge and the guys showed a lot of character today. The way they were able to rebound from that little setback and play a very good team, really play an excellent game and (a) clean sheet is always great. Everyone really stepped up and it was great to have, you know, the crowd like this tonight. It was exciting and I think when you see games like this, hopefully on Wednesday, we'll get even more fans.”
On the versatility of Mauricio Pineda and moving from centerback to midfielder during the game...
“Yeah, Mauri has been excellent, you know, I think he was excellent tonight. I think, also with him, I think most players, I think when there are certain moments in the season where there's fatigue that sets in, I think those are the moments where, you know, the moments if you can rest them, but sometimes you don't have the ability to do so.
But you know, we made that switch. I think Gaston, he got a couple knocks and he was feeling a little bit tight and we didn't want to take any risks with him the way we are right now with Navarro being out. So, we brought him in the middle, him and Fabi (Herbers) – Fabi was excellent again tonight.
But the important thing is that, you know, I think all the guys that came in gave us a spark, with Carlos coming in and Kendall; with Kei, Alonso in a limited time. But Mauri has been excellent wherever you put him. He's got that versatility. He's a smart player, really smart. He's comfortable on the ball, he gives us so many options the way we want to play and he's a guy that's, you know, he's from Chicago, man. So, to him, you know, I can always get to him when I say, 'Mauri this is your team, this is your team.' He cares. For us, it means really something – when we lose, you know, the guy wears it on his sleeve. So, he had an excellent game.”
On containing MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar...
“The preparation for us was really good because we were planning on him to start the game. Obviously, they started with Fafá Picault and Bunbury really, two fast players. And the only problem, really, they gave us, I felt, the first half, is that when we talked about it, the outside backs went to really jump and put pressure. And when the timing wasn't good and they were going, you know, those balls in those channels were right open. They got behind us a couple of times in the channels but I thought Mauri and Rafa did an excellent job.
And then with Mukhtar, when he came in, obviously just the ability for us when he drifts out wide; you know, how to mark him when he drops deep and being ready for the long balls, which we did a really good job. I think the first half, I was a little bit worried because of our size, you know, not having Kei in there and maybe even Carlos, but the guys did an excellent job. So, with him, it's just certain movements that he has and obviously, tracking the runs from midfield, that we did a really good job. I think this, you know, stopping a player like that, it's a whole team effort, you know, and I think the guys did a great job.”
On Fabian Herbers' hot streak...
“Yeah, he's working hard. I just think with Fabi, again, versatility, but I think when he comes from these deep areas, you know, it's really difficult to track. You know, he's a really fit guy, he always looks to get behind. At times, he's got so much energy, he wants to run and it's like me trying to pull him in and picking the right moments. But it's great to see him, you know, because he gives everything on the field and he gets rewarded with the goal tonight. I mean, he steps in and wins the ball and gets forward.
So, I know for him, he cares a lot about the team and you know, it always feels great when you score. But I think for him, it would be meaningless if we didn't get the three points. So, keep going, I tell him. I don't know what he's been eating, I don't know if it's German or Greek food, but we'll see. But he's been playing fantastic.”
Chicago Fire FC Goalkeeper Chris Brady
On the bounce-back performance against Nashville…
“Feeling great, I think you saw it from the very beginning. It was an extremely solid defensive effort, and then when we got our chances up front, we made the most of them. Extremely happy for Fabi on that goal, I feel like he scores the same type of goal every game. I’m really happy for him and really happy just for the guys in front of me, because, man from the first minute they put in an absolute shift, so just happy overall.”
On the free kick save in the second half…
“Well, two things can happen. He’s either going to blast it to my side and I just have to react or what he did was, to it over the wall and on the frame from that distance, you can’t hit it too hard. He kind of just lofted it and I’m thankful that I’m a longer keeper, so all it really took was just one step and then a push. That’s kind of what we train, especially as goalkeepers you let the wall do its job and if you can make it to the ball then, you know, you do it. It’s essentially just waiting, waiting to see what happens and being patient and not guessing, because the second you guess, he might do you or something like that.”
On the fanbase support throughout the game…
“It helps a lot, that’s our twelfth man right there. You know when they’re getting loud, getting passionate, you really feel it as a player trust me. You feel that presence behind you and all around you. In tough times and in good times they’re there to support and shout out to our Supporter Section as well, they’re with us through all of it. It’s extremely important and it’s good to get the win, because that’s essentially what attracts people back for the next game and then the game after that and so on. That’s what we like doing, is winning in front of our home fans.”
On the center back change mid-game…
“I would say it’s a little difficult for them as the player to just kind of get up to speed with the game. It’s hard for any player coming off the bench to immediately kick it into full gear and match the pace of the game. For me it’s not too challenging because prior to the game, I study all my set pieces where all the players in front of me should be so it’s essentially just switching one pawn out for another in my mind, so not too challenging for me.”
On bouncing back from the previous result against Nashville and making a big impact…
“In the back of my mind, it was a little bit of a revenge match because we did not like that game in Nashville so, extremely happy to have them come here and get a taste of their own medicine. That’s something we’re looking into for all the teams to come, especially on this big home stretch. But yeah, it feels really good to get it back and to, especially, shut them out. That was a big one because they feed off that, a lot of scoring goals, a lot of hype energy so, coming here, losing 1-0, us keeping the shutout, really kills their drive.”
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Fabian Herbers
On walking us through his first goal…
“I think it's less about the goals more about the team performances. In all those games, I think we've, we've come out with a win. So it's more important to actually win the game to get the three points because we're still pushing for the playoffs here. We still have a lot of games left. And so we got to get the maximum points that we can in those games so it’s less about the goals more about the team.”
On what he saw on the play to get the goal started…
“I think we did a good job as a team to get the lines compact. I cheated a little bit and I got the interception. And then when we get the ball we want to play forward right away and that's what I did. I saw Maren making a great run down the right. And then I continued running through the box. He cut it back from me on the penalty spot, I want to say I just got a one time finish and luckily, I went into the back of the net.”
On what the secret is behind his recent goal scoring….
“There's no secret. I think it's just hard work. Try to get into the right spots at the right time. But try to pick your moments. And it's just about the team being compact, creating chances and the more chances you create and the more compact you are, I think of the more likely you are to win and to score goals. And I think as a team, we've been doing that really well. The past few games and hopefully we can continue.”
On what the result means for the group…
“Yeah, I think we closed it out well, we didn't give up too much. I want to say I think [Chris] Brady came up with some huge saves, I think the free kick from Hany Mukhtar that could have been in the back of the net. Great save, that's what you need in those moments. You need key players to step up. I think Brady did that. I think our defense did that, a fantastic job and we all kept working as a team to close it out. And luckily we did that.”
On how it feels after a win…
“Yeah, it's good. It’s good when the team has good momentum, obviously. I think nine points in those last four games. And hopefully we can keep that going. This was the first of those three home games that we have now. We have an important game on Wednesday coming up and then on Saturday, I think and if we keep those going, I think it’s gonna be a turning point for us in the season. If we have those, those results successfully or those games successfully, I should say. And hopefully we can maximize those points.”
Chicago Fire FC Forward Kei Kamara
On the home win…
“It feels good, really because I mean, we've been on the road and the second half of the season started pretty well. And knowing that we're coming home now we are going to have some home games. We definitely want to make sure that we started well, and I think today was a perfect day to really have the fan support, the people that came out with the support. Yes, it wasn't a high scoring game, but it was definitely three points that we needed.”
On the upcoming All-Star game…
“We have other games to play. We still have a couple more games to play before the All-Star break so I don't think anyone you know, including myself, is really focused on that All-Star game right now. It's really about how many more points we can get before that break comes, you know, to get us into a playoff position. I think that's what we're going for now.”
On continuing to stay effective on home field…
“Well, we have to have the same fan support, have people come out again, come here next on Wednesday for our next game and you know, going into the weekend too. But, you know, because the support that we get from people here definitely helps us. But now we focus because I mean, we won't be showing up to play if we're not ready to win games you know, we're not coming into the stadium to say okay, we're gonna go for a point. We're coming in to try to get all three points.”
On his reaction to being selected to the All-Star game…
“Yeah, it's fun. It's good. It's great. I know. I'm thankful for the Commissioner. And it's a very special honor to be a Commissioner's Pick, to be selected for the All-Star team and I'm really honored. But I really have to focus here in the next couple games that we have. And because you can’t go into these breaks if your team's not doing well. So hopefully we continue to do well. So when that time comes, I'll go enjoy it.”
On his father watching him play for the first time and experiencing a win…
“It's been a special week, you know, to have my father come from Sierra Leone to America, or here in Chicago and come into the stadium and witness his first game ever overseas. It's very special. I mean, we saw him after the game and he gave me a hug. Like I was the one that scored. So it's really good. So I welcomed him here and he got to watch the Chicago Fire win at home today. It's a storybook for me.”