Author: Dan Gaichas of Windy City Soccer
It seems like it takes only the slightest mistake for the Fire to drop points these days. Saturday night was no exception as a defensive lapse in the 86th minute led to a 1-0 win for Orlando City SC.
The goal came about when substitute Brek Shea sent a low cross into the area that Fire defense simply failed to deal with. Substitute Darwin Ceren didn’t get a clean touch on the cross, but substitute Bryan Rochez did and poked it past Jon Busch, who was in for the injured Sean Johnson, for the only score. All three Orlando substitutes were involved on the goal.
Prior to that, their best chance was in the 18th minute when Carlos Rivas blasted a shot off the crossbar.
The Fire had the better of chances, especially in the first half. Tally Hall made a diving save to deny Harry Shipp in the 38th minute. Hall would make four saves on the night.
In the second half, the Fire appeared to run out of endeavor and could not find a breakthrough. Orlando did through their substitute and combined with Montreal and NYC winning, the Fire are now nine points adrift of a playoff spot and well rooted to the bottom of MLS.
“I thought we played well enough to get something out of the match,” said a clearly dejected Frank Yallop. “A win, at least a tie. It’s frustrating. I feel really bad for the guys. We’re doing things that we felt as a group that’s good enough to get more points on the table than we’re getting. We seem to find every sort of opportunity to give goals up.”
Losing like this and often is a new experience for David Accam.
“It’s difficult. I’ve not been in this position before,” said Accam. “We keep making the same mistake every game. It’s like, the first 70 minutes we play well and if we don’t score, we concede in the last minute. It’s what happens every game. I can’t really tell what’s wrong with the team. We have good players, we have a good team but still, we don’t get results but it’s difficult to understand what’s happening.”
“I think that question is for the coach. We need more help. We keep getting the same result every game, even though we play well, it’s the same result, we don’t get the positive result that we need, so I think maybe we need help, maybe.”
Tonight’s Section 8 protest consisted of fans flying pirate flags and unfurling a pair of banners that together said, “Warning be heeded, change is needed.”
After this night, truer words were never spoken. The Fire return to Montreal on Wednesday night for a 7pm start on CSN+.
SCORING SUMMARY:
ORL-Bryan Rochez (Ceren, Shea) 86’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
ORL-Rafael Ramos (caution, tactical foul) 31’
CHI-Jeff Larentowicz (caution, reckless foul) 39’
CHI-Michael Stephens (caution, tactical foul) 63’
CHI-Patrick Nyarko (caution, endangering the goalkeeper) 79’
CHICAGO FIRE (4-4-2): #18-Jon Busch; #55-Daneil Cyrus, #24-Ty Harden, #20-Jeff Larentowicz (C), #3-Joevin Jones; #14-Patrick Nyarko (#9-Mike Magee 85’), #30-Razvan Cocis, #26-Michael Stephens (#7-Jason Johnson 85’), #19-Harry Shipp (#29-Gilberto 71’); #11-David Accam, #77-Kennedy Igboananike
Subs not used: #1-Alec Kann, #5-Lovel Palmer, #21-Chris Ritter, #8-Matt Watson
ORLANDO CITY SC (4-2-3-1): #22-Tally Hall (C); #27-Rafael Ramos, #44-David Mateos, #78-Aurelien Collin, #14-Luke Boden; #7-Cristian Higuita, #5-Servando Carrasco; #32-Adrian Winter (#20-Brek Shea 70’), #24-Lewis Neal, #11-Carlos Rivas (#17-Darwin Ceren 81’); #21-Cyle Larin (#35-Bryan Rochez 70’)
Subs not used: #36-Earl Edwards Jr., #3-Seb Hines, #12-Eric Avila, #19-Danny Mwanga
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 14-8 ORL
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 4-2 ORL
FOULS: CHI 11-12 ORL
OFFSIDES: CHI 2-0 ORL
CORNER KICKS: CHI 8-4 ORL
SAVES: CHI 1-4 ORL
Referee: Alan Kelly
Referee’s Assistants: Philippe Briere, Eric Weisbrod
4th Official: Baboucarr Jallow
Weather: Clear and 70º
Attendance: 20,280
Man of the Match: Tally Hall (ORL)
