Chicago Fire FC (2-7-4, 10 points) fell 1-0 to Charlotte FC (6-5-2, 20 points) on Wednesday night at Soldier Field.
Chicago started off the game strong, producing several chances in the first half. Two of the most dangerous chances came through forward Hugo Cuypers. In the 16th minute, midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri slipped a sharp pass through to the top of the six-yard box from the right side of the 18-yard-box. Cuypers was making the run, connecting with the pass and redirecting it toward the goal but Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina was well-positioned for the save. Just 10 minutes later, Cuypers ran down a ball that was sent over the defense, sending in a shot from the right side for which Kahlina was once again ready.
Charlotte broke the deadlock in the 60th minute. After being awarded a free kick at the top of the 18-yard box arch, Ashley Westwood sent a well-placed strike around the wall and just out of reach for Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady.
NEXT MATCH: Chicago remains at home for a weekend match against defending MLS champions Columbus Crew on Saturday, May 18. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT at Soldier Field and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass and transmitted locally via wlsam.com in English and WRTO 1200 AM in Spanish.
Social: Twitter - @chicagofire, @vamosfire (Hashtags: #CF97 #VamosFire) | Instagram - @chicagofire | Facebook
Notes:
- Homegrown midfielder Brian Gutiérrez started for the ninth time this season and played in his 100th regular season match for the Fire, making him the second Homegrown Player to reach the centennial mark in appearances after Mauricio Pineda.
- Goalkeeper Chris Brady made his 12th start of the season in the net, having only missed one game due to international duty. He is now tied with Gaga Slonina for most starts by a Homegrown goalkeeper in Club history with 44.
- Winger Omari Glasgow played his second match for the Chicago Fire First Team, completing his two-game availability as a member of Chicago Fire II.
- Chase Gasper (upper leg), Maren Haile-Selassie (lower leg) and Tobias Salquist (upper leg) were unavailable for today’s match.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:1 Charlotte FC
Goals:
CLT - Westwood (2) (WATCH) 60’
Discipline:
CHI - Terán (Yellow Card) 34’
CHI - Czichos (Yellow Card) 50’
CLT - Agyemang (Yellow Card) 64’
CLT - Dejaegere (Yellow Card) 73’
CHI: GK Brady, D Souquet (Koutsias, 78’), D Terán, D Czichos, D Gutman (Pineda, 78’), M Mueller, M Shaqiri (capt.) (Glasgow, 67’), M Gutiérrez, M Acosta (Giménez, 67’), M Navarro (Herbers, 78’), F Cuypers
Subs not used: GK Richey, D Omsberg, D Dean, F Barlow
CLT: GK Kahlina, D Byrne, D Pedro (Lindsey, 87’), D Malanda, M Westwood (capt.), M Petkovic (Arfield, 70’), M Urso (Bronico, 61’), M Privett, F Vargas, F Smalls (Dejaegere, 69’), F Agyemang (Tavares, 70’)
Subs not used: GK Bingham, D Tuiloma, D Diop, M Diani
Stats Summary: CHI / CLT
Shots: 14 / 9
Shots on Goal: 5 / 2
Saves: 1 / 5
Passing Accuracy: 80.7% / 72.9%
Corners: 10 / 7
Fouls: 13 / 14
Offsides: 2 / 0
Possession: 57% / 43%
Attendance: 12,806
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistant Referees: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt, Gianni Facchini
Fourth Official: Calin Radosav
VAR: Luis Guardia
Assistant VAR: TJ Zablocki