Chicago Fire FC fell 1-0 to Club América on Friday night at SeatGeek Stadium in the Round of 32 of Leagues Cup 2023.
Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady was tested early on when Club América worked their way into the box in the eighth minute. The Mexican side fired a shot that Brady read through traffic, diving to his left to stop it from going into the lower left corner. Brady had more heroics just before halftime in the 43rd minute when Kevin Álvarez fired a blast from just outside the box that Brady reacted well to save with his legs.
América appeared to have scored in the 35th minute, but Kevin Álvarez’s goal was called offside. The teams went into halftime tied at zero, but not without a last-moment effort by the Fire. Xherdan Shaqiri sent a ball across the box where Brian Gutiérrez timed his run, but his headed attempt hit off the crossbar as the referee signaled the end of the first half.
It was Club América who broke through in the 64th minute when the ball was played into the near post, where midfielder Gastón Giménez attempted to redirect the ball out of bounds but instead saw it go into the Fire’s own net. Following the goal, Chicago was forced to make a goalkeeper substitution with Spencer Richey stepping into the net for Chris Brady. Club América finished the game with 10 men when Richard Sánchez was sent off with a straight red card in the 90+4th minute.
NEXT MATCH: Chicago will next host Orlando City SC on Aug. 20 at Soldier Field at 7:30 p.m. CT as the Club returns to MLS league play. Join the Fire in honoring our nation's brave military personnel with our upcoming Military Night on Aug. 20. Alongside the action on the field, we'll show our support and appreciation throughout the evening for the incredible sacrifices and dedication of our military community, plus we'll have exciting activities and giveaways for fans to enjoy. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV, streamed on wlsam.com and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
Social: Twitter - @chicagofire, @vamosfire (Hashtags: #CF97 #VamosFire) | Instagram - @chicagofire | Facebook
Notes:
- Ivorian midfielder Ousmane Doumbia started his second match in a Fire shirt. The skillful midfielder played 90 minutes for the Chicago Fire against Puebla in the previous match.
- Xherdan Shaqiri donned the captain’s armband against América, doing so for the second-consecutive game.
- Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez made his 24th start of 2023 across all competitions.
- Midfielders Javier Casas Jr. (right upper arm) and Chris Mueller (right upper leg) were not available for tonight’s match.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:1 Club América
Goals:
CFA - Gastón Giménez (Own Goal) (WATCH) 64’
Discipline:
CHI - M. Navarro (Yellow Card) 23’
CFA - Álvarez (Yellow Card) 23’
CHI - Souquet (Yellow Card) 87’
CFA - Sánchez (Red Card - Ejection) 90+4’
CHI - Shaqiri (Yellow Card) 90+6’
CHI - Pineda (Yellow Card) 90+9’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Brady (Richey, 70’), D Dean (Souquet, 74’), D Terán, D Pineda, D M. Navarro, M Doumbia, M Giménez (F. Navarro, 75’), M Torres (M Haile-Selassie, 61’), M Shaqiri (capt.), M Gutiérrez, F Koutsias (F Przybyłko, 61’)
Subs not used: GK Gal, D Aceves, D Czichos, D Burks, M Herbers, M Monis, F M. Rodríguez
Club América: GK Malagón, D I. Reyes, D Cáceres, D Álvarez, M Dos Santos (capt.), M Fidalgo, M Sánchez, M Zendejas (Fuentes, 88’), M S. Reyes (Araújo, 90+8’), M Suárez (Rodríguez, 78’), F Quiñones
Subs not used: GK Jiménez, GK Palestina, D Araujo, M Naveda, D Layún, D Lara, D Juárez, F Martínez, M Ramírez, F Salas
Stats Summary: CHI / CFA
Shots: 0 / 5
Shots on Goal: 0 / 3
Saves: 3 / 0
Passing Accuracy: 79.5% / 80.0%
Corners: 0 / 2
Fouls: 2 / 2
Offsides: 0 / 1
Possession: 27.2% / 72.8%
Attendance: 18,417 (sellout)
Referee: Walter López Castellanos
Assistant Referees: Keytzel Corrales, Helpys Feliz
Fourth Official: Steffon Dewar
VAR: Daneion Parchment
Assistant VAR: Ricardo Montero
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas
On the performance of the Club against Club América...
"Look, I think every time we step on the field, our mentality – and that's what I'm proud of the guys – is to go out there and win the game. It's two different halves, I felt the first half that I think we maybe gave them a little bit too much respect. We dropped off a little too much. We knew that they were going to have a lot of the ball. But we didn't have the same intensity. I think that we were chasing a little too much at the wrong time and then when we had the ball, we weren't as sharp with the ball.
We changed some things tactically in the second half – building three plus two, drop Shaq a little bit deeper. Then, the energy level, on the ball, we were better. We created good chances and it's just unfortunate that the deflection in the end. We had a great opportunity right before they scored to, you know, to get the first goal but it didn't happen.
I'm extremely proud of the team the way they competed in this tournament. Finishing first, obviously, we were excited to play América because I think, you know, when you play teams like this, you become, also, better and it's very important to test yourself against a team like that. I felt that we held our own, I felt we created better chances in the second half. And I think that I think our fans could be proud.
I know there were a lot of América fans that live here in Chicago, but I think they could be proud of the team; when América goes back, they can come and support us. The atmosphere was great. So, I'm extremely proud of the guys. I think, like I said, we represented the Club, the team and the league in the right way. The mentality was great, we just need to have the kind of mentality that we did the second half."
On tournament play invigorating league play...
"Yeah, I mean, we talked about this before, what the goals were. I mean, the Open Cup is always a top priority for us. But I think anytime we play a tournament, you know, we are there to win; there's no point of playing if that's not the case. Look, with the Open Cup, we had a great run and then obviously, things didn't go well here against Houston. But we put our best foot forward, you know, to do our best and we fell a little bit short there.
And I think it was the same case here with the Leagues Cup. It's a great tournament and I think we wanted to, you know, continue to play at a really high level and I felt we did that as a team. And I think we continue to grow and that's why I'm proud of the group and the team, but also represented our league. When you're playing a team, against América, I mean, it's also an opportunity to showcase our league and the players that we have and I think we did a great job doing that."
On the team's prior knowledge of Club América...
"No, they knew. I mean, you have a lot of Hispanic players on our team. You know, Brian Gutiérrez, [Mauricio] Pineda, Carlos Terán, Miguel Navarro, [Federico Navarro], Gaston [Giménez] – all those guys know where América stands in Mexico, but I also told them, you know, the big Hispanic community that we have here in Chicago. There's a big support, we've played América in the past, so I felt it was a great opportunity for us.
We knew that we had our fans, which was great. It's always great to see red out there, you know? But I said it's an opportunity, even though they come out to support America because that's their club back home. But you know, depending on how we play, you can win a lot of fans over and I felt we did that tonight. But the players know, they know who América is."
On Leagues Cup's impact on the rest of the season...
"That's a great question and that's what I told the players. I think it was very important to have continued to play well as a team and I think we did this in this tournament. Starting off on the road in Minnesota, we had a great win there. And then obviously, you know, we tied Puebla here. We lost in the PKs but we finished first in the group. I think it was important to continue to play at a high level and I think when you play a great competition, like teams from Liga MX and I think it brings the best out of players.
So, for me, I think it's every time we step on the field, it was an opportunity to grow. And I told the players our mentality, the way we've come together as a team, it's great. The effort that we put in the second half, the belief that we had, you know, for us, it's all about the team. But you can just see, the second half, the effort by the whole team, I don't want to single players out. But you can just see also the commitment of [Xherdan] Shaqiri; the way he worked and the way he ran was incredible and the belief. When you have players like that at that level, doing the little things and the work off the ball, it just lifts the whole team.
There is a belief. We know and I told them that the last 11 games will be the hardest in the season. We did a great job to put ourselves in a great spot. Now, we need to stay humble and keep working. We have four days, three, four days to, which they need a little bit of a break and then to come back fully energized. And then our first priority is with Orlando. But take what we've done, stay humble and keep working hard, because everything we've done has come from hard work and belief. And you know how easy it is to lose that if you don't continue to prepare and work hard. So that's the focus that I left the team with today."
On Xherdan Shaqiri's tactical change in the second half...
"No doubt, a great point, you're right. You picked that up because that was one of the things we changed tactically in the second half. We talked about building always with three, we didn't do it a lot of times the first half and I don't know, I don't understand, I don't know why, because that's things that we talked about and we worked on before playing América.
The second half, obviously I dropped Gaston deeper, building with three and then I brought Shaqiri a little bit deeper as an 8 and 10 with him and Doumbia. And then we got on the ball, he got on the ball a lot more. We had a better flow into the game. We had more options, we were able to move the ball quicker. And that was a big difference: one little tactical change and I think the whole picture of the team changed, but then also the intensity and the energy was much better. We were pressing, we were shifting quicker. But that little change and then the play of Shaqiri. But as a whole, you could just see his commitment and it's been incredible to see him. When he's like that, he's a game changer for sure."
On the status of Chris Brady...
"Yeah, I think he was okay. I saw him. I think he's got, I don't know if it was a knee to his back, but I don't think there's anything to be concerned about. He was walking okay. I think he was more disappointed that we gave up the goal, the deflection there. But I think he will be okay."
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Jonathan Dean
On the team’s performance in Leagues Cup play…
“We played very good teams throughout this tournament. Club America showed tonight that they’re a really good team. Great fan base and they made it tough and difficult. I think it’s a good test, especially towards the end of the season to play in an environment like that so hopefully we can learn from that.”
On missed opportunities in the first half and how it cost the team…
“Towards the end of the first half, yeah, we almost got one right at the end. Especially, that would’ve been huge, momentum-wise. Also a confidence booster heading into halftime and obviously coming into the second half.”
On how Leagues Cup helps the team prepare for the regular season…
“I think it’s good because we get a playoff-format game, win or go home, so I think it helps us. Especially in this environment to move forward and continue to play and grow in confidence so we’ll be ready.”
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez
On his initial thoughts on tonight’s result…
“Yeah, that's a tough game we had out there. I think in the first half, they had more of the ball and I think in the second half, we had better opportunities on goal and we missed that goal. But yeah, I think overall we played a good game here. We just need to finish our chances.”
On what changed in the second half for the team offensively…
“Yeah, we dropped. We [started to] build with three, we dropped our six and I think that created a lot of problems for them because we got overloaded in the middle and yeah, I think that's the motive that helped us.”
On playing in a sold out crowd at SeatGeek Stadium…
“I think it was an exciting game. A game you love to play in and yeah, it was a beautiful game.”
On playing in front of this environment and how it motivates him…
“For sure. I mean, that's what you want to do as a pro, playing these exciting games. Full crowd and what you aspire to do.”
On the team continuing to advance in cup competitions…
“Yeah, it's a bitter taste that it leaves because as a pro you want to win everything and yeah, like I said, it's a bitter taste.”
Chicago Fire FC Defender Miguel Navarro
On the keys to the game…
“We knew it was going to be difficult because they’re a team that likes to have possession of the ball, and in the end we had our chances but didn’t make the most out of them. These types of games are about the little details, and I think those details are what gave America the advantage”
On what he takes away from this tournament…
“New experiences, it’s a new tournament that I hope continues to exist and well that’ll help us continue playing at a high level with that competition”
On how the team will build off this tournament onto the second half of the season…
“We go game by game, I think this game against a great team does us well because we can build off of it and take every game one at a time and we hope to continue that way.”
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Gastón Giménez
On his analysis of the game and what he saw…
“It was an even game, we lost by one. In the first half they controlled most of the possession without doing much danger. We had most of our chances in the second half, there was a change of attitude from the team, and well that’s how it played out. We fought until the end, it wasn’t our night but we have to move on back to league play.”
On the team having to close out the second half of the season…
“Of course, we have 10 or 11 games left and we have to fight until the end. It’s always our goal to get into the playoffs, we look to continue getting better. We’re on a good path and we look to reach that goal the club has.