CHICAGO, Ill. (April 20, 2013) – The Chicago Fire (2-4-1, 7 points) defeated long-time Eastern Conference rivals Columbus Crew (2-2-3, 9 points) Saturday evening at Toyota Park. Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz scored his first goal in a Fire shirt, tallying the only goal of the match in the 83rd minute to give the Fire the 1-0 victory.
In the fourth minute, Crew defender Tyson Wahl sent in a free kick from 40 yards out to Chad Marshall, who headed it down for Agustin Viana who slid the ball in to goal but the goal was called offside.
After a scoreless first half, the Fire started the second with renewed vigor. In the 55th minute, Patrick Nyarko won the ball on the midfield line, spun his defender and headed towards goal. The fleet-footed Ghanaian found Chris Rolfe at the top of the 18 but the Kettering, Ohio native’s left-footed shot went just wide.
In the 74th minute, Estonian international Joel Lindpere whipped in a corner kick that was headed out by Marshall. The clearance fell to Nyarko, who drove in a cross to a rising Austin Berry but his snap header was saved from crossing the line at the last second by Gruenebaum.
The Fire’s offensive pressure would pay dividends in the 83rd minute. Defender Jalil Anibaba sent a long throw to Berry, who flicked the ball on for Larentowicz at the top of the penalty box. The Philadelphia, Penn. product nodded the ball past Gruenebaum to give the Fire the 1-0 lead.
Deep into stoppage time, the Crew won a free kick 40 yards form goal. Federico Higuain whipped in a free kick that found Chad Marshall, but his header went just wide of Sean Johnson’s goal.
The Men in Red next head to Montreal to take on the Impact at Stade Saputo on Saturday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m. CT (NBC Sports Network/107.9 La Ley). The Fire return to Toyota Park when they welcome the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, May 11 at 12:30 p.m. CT (NBC Sports Network/107.9 La Ley). Tickets for the match are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire or by visiting www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Notes:
– The Fire are 23-12-13 all-time against the Columbus Crew and 14-5-7 in matches played at home.
– The Men in Red are 6-1-5 all-time against the Columbus Crew since the opening of Toyota Park in 2006.
– Jeff Larentowicz’s 83rd minute winner was his first in a Fire shirt.
– Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas started the seventh different lineup in as many games.
– Since Klopas took over as head coach in 2011, the Fire are 18-0-4 in matches when they score the first goal.
– After battling a hamstring injury Patrick Nyarko returned to the starting lineup for the first time since March 24 vs. Chivas USA.
Goalkeeper Sean Johnson and the Fire defense notched their second shutout of the season.
Quotes:
Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire Head Coach
“Definitely, I think we were looking forward to this match, obviously with the rivalry that has been created with games like this with teams in your conference. The proximity with their fans coming here and the support we get when we go there adds to it. It was a huge game for us. We had a good performance in the first half and an even better second half. We were the better team, in the second half we created enough chances and we finally scored a nice goal. We defended well as a group. I’m proud of the group and the effort. We enjoy it tonight, then we go back to work and stay focused like we have. The mentality and attitude of the players is fantastic. We enjoy it tonight but it’s a long season and things change fast.”
Jeff Larentowicz, Chicago Fire Midfielder
“It was a long throw, late. I think that Jalil [Anibaba] was putting the ball in the right spot all night and Austin [Berry] was able to get his head on a lot of them. I was in too early on a couple of them and the defenders were able to clear but that one I waited a split second and came in from behind the defender.”
“I think when the ball was going forward I was trying to get into the box as much as possible. Between Logan and I – we offset each other, where one is up, the other is back. I think I was able to get forward more a little bit tonight.”
“We were focusing on their offensive engine and making sure they didn’t play into it. Higuain is one of them. I thought we did well to make sure that they weren’t able to get it into him and start their attack. I also think we limited Oduro’s pace in behind. The defenders had a great night, Thompson was fantastic. I think it’s something to build on for sure.”
Chicago Fire 1 – 0 Columbus Crew
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Wells Thompson, Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry, Gonzalo Segares; Patrick Nyarko (Daniel Paladini 87’), Logan Pause ©, Jeff Larentowicz, Joel Lindpere (Dilly Duka 83’); Chris Rolfe, Sherjill MacDonald (Maicon Santos 78’)
Columbus Crew: Andy Gruenebaum; Josh Williams, Chad Marshall, Glauber, Tyson Wahl; Ben Speas (Agustin Viana 65’), Danny O’Rourke (Kevan George 82’), Agustin Viana, Eddie Gaven; Dominic Oduro (Ethan Finlay 76’), Federico Higuain
Scoring Summary
CHI – Jeff Larentowicz (Austin Berry, Jalil Anibaba) 83’
Misconduct Summary
CHI – Gonzalo Segares (caution) 6’
CHI – Wells Thompson (caution) 13’
CLB – Glauber (caution) 85’
CHI – Daniel Paladini (caution) 87’
Referee: Chris Penso
Assistants: Brian Poeschel, Jason Cullum
Fourth Official: Daniel Radford
Attendance: 12,813
Chicago Fire Communications