0
0
The Chicago Fire hosted Atlanta United FC on a windy and warm night on the final Saturday in April, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. It was a special night for the Fire, as one of the all-time greats, goalkeeper Zach Thornton was inducted to the teams “Ring of Fire” pregame.
The first big chance of the game came when a beautiful ball was placed into the box for Fire’s Georgios Koutsias (making his first start of the season) who headed it off the crossbar in the 7th minute.
Atlanta had their first chance of the game where Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady made a remarkable back-heel save on a one-on-one shot in the 24th.
Another dangerous situation for the Fire happened in the 31st on a header by United’s Saba Lobjanidze that went just wide left and missed the back post. It looked like Brady got his fingers on it, but no corner was called.
Fire had an opportunity to take the lead with when Chris Mueller’s straight on shot-in-the box went wide right. Speaking of Muller, he had a chance to redeem himself two minutes later in the 36th when he missed another wide open shot over the top of the goal.
United missed another opportunity just a couple feet over the goal in the 42nd.
At halftime, Zach Thornton took his rightful place in the Fire hall-of-fame when his name and number were unveiled to crowd of 18,236. It was a really cool moment and very deserving for the best goalkeeper in team history.
Atlanta United continued the ball dominance in the second half.
Fire head man Frank Klopas went on a substitution frenzy from the 66′ to 76′ minute, making four substitutions in a span of 10 minutes. The first one brining on Brian Gutierrez for Kellyn Acosta.
A familiar face entered the game for Atlanta in former Fire player Dax McCarty in the 78th. A minute later Almada missed a goal off the top of the post.
Brady saved the game for the Fire with a terrific diving save off a powerful header from United substitute Daniel Rios in 85th. That ended up being enough for the Fire to scrap a point out of a game they looked overmatched and dominated.
Atlanta United dominated possession 64% to 36%. United tallied 18 shots, with 5 on goal versus 10 from the Fire, with none on target. Chris Brady was easily man of the match in this one. The 0-0 draw marked the 10th career clean sheet for the Fire keeper.
Fire get a point from a tough opponent in a game they probably should have lost. That’s a win for the men in red.
Next up, the Fire stay at home and welcome the bottom of the table New England Revolution next Saturday night. Caleb Porter’s Revs are reeling in the eastern conference with a 1-7-1 record and only 4 points on the season. This is what they call a get-well game. Fire must take advantage and end the three game homestand with a win against New England.
CHICAGO FIRE vs NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION – Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 PM CT at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. The match will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
NEWS & NOTES:
- Saturday’s match against New England at Soldier Field will be Star Wars Night, with the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive an exclusive Star Wars themed flag
- Fire Goalkeeper Chris Brady was selected to the MLS “Team of the Matchday”
- In the last six contests against each other, the Fire and Revolution have drawn, dating back to October 16, 2021
- Pregame the Chicago Fire honored club legend Zach Thornton in the stadium Courtyard with a ceremony that featured former teammates, family and friends and surrounded by fans, as Thornton was welcomed to the Fire “Ring of Fire”
