WASHINGTON D.C. (Oct. 15, 2011) – Trailing 1-0 in the waning moments of the match the Chicago Fire used added time goals from Sebastian Grazzini and Diego Chaves to resurrect their playoff hopes in a 2-1 victory over D.C. United at RFK Stadium Saturday evening. A pair of assists by Fire defender Gonazalo Segares spurred the Men in Red’s last second comeback effort as Grazzini tallied his fifth goal in 11 games and Chaves found his fifth of the season before the final whistle.
With the victory, the Fire (8-9-16, 40 points) overtake D.C. United (9-12-11, 38 points) and sit three points shy of the New York Red Bulls for the 10th and final MLS Cup Playoff spot.
A back-and-forth match with little to write home about for the first 85 minutes turned frenzied when Segares clipped a fleeting Santino Quaranta in the corner of the penalty area. The referee immediately pointed to the spot as United’s supporters roared for a game-winning goal. Dwayne De Rosario stepped to the spot and clinically finished to put the Fire on the brink of MLS Cup Playoff elimination in the 90.
A resilient Fire squad would not go quietly into the good, dark night and mounted an unrelenting attack as the clock turned to 91. Grazzini pulled the Fire level when he latched onto a pass from Segares and volleyed the ball past D.C. United ‘keeper Bill Hamid to even things after two minutes of stoppage time.
Moments later Barouch slotted a ball in behind the United defense, beating the offside trap to find Segares on a deep overlapping run. The Costa Rican International took a touch and squared a ball across the goalmouth. Chaves slid to meet the ball and hammered it home as the Fire took a dramatic 2-1 lead to the final whistle.
After a busy first couple of minutes, the two sides settled in and exchanged half-chances throughout the first interval. Dwayne De Rosario pushed the action for the home side, however, the Fire did well to contain the Canadian International, only allowing the menacing forward a penalty kick goal, his 15th of the MLS campaign.
The Fire nearly broke through when Sebastian Grazzini found Nyarko open in the middle of the park. The Ghanaian sprayed a pass to Marco Pappa charging down the right flank, finding him in stride at the top of the 18-yard-box. With only Hamid to beat Pappa wound up a fired a driven ball into the chest of the United ‘keeper.
The Men in Red looked to nick a goal in the 64th minute. Deputizing at right back after a 19th minute left groin injury to Michael Videira, Jalil Anibaba broke free and carried the ball toward the endline. Nyarko, charging into the penalty area, headed the Fire rookie’s cross just wide of Hamid’s goal.
The Fire return home to TOYOTA PARK for the 2011 MLS regular season finale on Saturday, Oct. 22 against the Columbus Crew at 7:30 p.m. CT (CSN). Tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), or by heading to the club’s official website at Chicago-Fire.com.
Notes:
Diego Chaves’ late game heroics gave the Fire their third road victory of the season. It was Chaves first goal since April 23 against Houston
Sebastian Grazzini has five goals and four assists in 11 games since joining the Fire in late July.
Pavel Pardo, Dan Gargan and Cory Gibbs all missed the match due to suspension.
With his yellow card, Josip Mikulic will miss the Columbus Crew match with yellow card accumulation.
Michael Videira left the match in the 19th minute with a left groin injury.
Chicago Fire 2 – 1 D.C. United
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Michael Videira (Yamith Cuesta, 19’), Josip Mikulic, Jalil Anibaba, Gonzalo Segares; Logan Pause ©, Daniel Paladini (Diego Chaves, 90;), Marco Pappa; Sebastian Grazzini; Patrick Nyarko, Dominic Oduro (Orr Barouch, 73’)
Substitutes not used: Jon Conway, Pari Pantazopoulos, Baggio Husidic, Corben Bone
D.C. United: Bill Hamid; Chris Korb, Brandon McDonald, Perry Kitchen, Daniel Woolard; Andy Najar, Stephen King (Marc Burch, 75’), Clyde Simms, Austin Da Luz (Santino Quaranta, 57’); Dwayne De Rosario, Josh Wolff © (Charlies Davies, 79’)
Substitutes not used: Joe Willis, Ethan White, Blake Brettschneider, Joseph Ngwenya
Scoring Summary
DCU – Dwayne De Rosario (penalty kick) 90’
CHI – Sebastian Grazzini (Gonzalo Segares, Patrick Nyarko) 92+’
CHI – Diego Chaves (Gonzalo Segares, Orr Barouch) 94+’
Misconduct Summary
CHI – Josip Mikulic (caution; Reckless Foul) 46’
DC – Andy Najar (caution; Reckless Foul) 76’
CHI – Orr Barouch (caution; Dissent) 78’
Referee: Jorge Gonzalez
Referee’s Assistants: Greg Barkey, Matthew Kreitzer
4th Referee: Terry Vaughn
Attendance: 16,548
Source: Chicago Fire Communications
Photos: chicago-fire.com