Fire Open Preseason with a Win

Nemanja Nikolic (photo credit: Don MacGregor/Windy City Soccer)

A goal from the reigning Golden Boot winner and a goal from their third-round draft pick gave the Fire a 2-0 win over University of South Florida on Saturday in Tampa. It was essentially a split-squad for the Fire with one team for the first half and nearly wholesale changes for the second.

Bastian Schweinsteiger did not play in this match while Nemanja Nikolic, Dax McCarty, Daniel Johnson, and recent acquisition Rafael Ramos all put in 63 minutes.

Christian Dean returned from injury and sent the cross for Nikolic’s goal in the 40th minute after a feed from Daniel Johnson.

In the 76th minute, Drew Conner sent a pass to unsigned draft pick and Loyola Chicago alum Elliott Collier whose shot the Bulls’ keeper got a touch on, but still bounced into the net.

The Fire’s next preseason match will be at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Tampa against the Philadelphia Union on Thursday at 10am CT.

Scoring Summary:
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (Christian Dean, Daniel Johnson) 40’
CHI – Elliott Collier (Drew Conner) 76’

Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Mo Adams (caution) 14’

Chicago Fire First Half: Richard Sanchez; Rafael Ramos, Jonathan Campbell, Christian Dean, Jorge Corrales; Mo Adams, Dax McCarty ©; Daniel Johnson, Jon Bakero, Daniel Johnson; Nemanja Nikolic.

*Unsigned 2018 MLS SuperDraft pick
^Trialist

Chicago Fire Second Half: Stefan Cleveland; Johan Kappelhof, Grant Lillard, Brandon Vincent; Rafael Ramos (^Josh Gatt 63’), Dax McCarty © (Drew Conner 63’), Daniel Johnson (*Diego Campos 63’), Brandt Bronico, ^Maximiliano Moreira; Luis Solignac (*Elliott Collier 63’), Nemanja Nikolic (^Albert Ruiz 63’).

*Unsigned 2018 MLS SuperDraft pick
^Trialist