Chicago Fire’s Gilberto, seen here in a match against the Colorado Rapids from 2015, scored late to give the Fire win over the Whitecaps in preseason action (Photo Credit: Don McGregor/Windy City Soccer)
The Fire led, then trailed, then converted two penalties to defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps, 3-2, in the first match of the Simple Invitational at Providence Park in Portland. The Fire remain unbeaten in preseason at 3-0-1.
The Fire got the opening score after just five minutes when Matt Polster stripped Pedro Morales of the ball and trialist John Goossens did the rest beating David Ousted near post. The Whitecaps equalized in the 24th minute when a cross intended for Christian Bolanos deflected off Johan Kappelhof and past Sean Johnson. The Whitecaps then took the lead in the 38th minute when Sam Adekugbe sent a cross that was met by Cristian Techera who scored from close range.
In the second half, the Fire returned to being the aggressor and made Kendall Waston’s day miserable. The first trip to the spot came in the 50th minute after Gilberto was tripped by Waston in the area. Referee Allen Chapman pointed to the spot and Gilberto converted to make the score 2-2. A half hour later, Waston again was the guilty party after taking down substitute Collin Fernandez in the area. This time, Kennedy Igboananike converted the spot kick and the Fire held on for the 3-2 win.
Next up for the Fire is Minnesota United FC in the Simple Invitational in Portland. Kickoff is at 7pm CT.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-John Goossens (Polster) 5
VAN-Johan Kappelhof (own goal) 24
VAN-Christian Techera (Adekugbe) 38
CHI-Gilberto (penalty kick) 50
CHI-Kennedy Igboananike (penalty kick) 80
BOOKING SUMMARY:
VAN-Deybi Flores (caution) 33
CHI-Gilberto (caution) 36
VAN-Kendall Waston (caution) 78
CHI-Collin Fernandez (caution) 86
CHICAGO FIRE: Sean Johnson (Matt Lampson 79); Michael Harrington, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira (Brandon Campbell 70), Brandon Vincent; Matt Polster, Razvan Cocis (Collin Fernandez 79); Arturo Alvarez (Michael Stephens 79), John Goossens (Nick LaBrocca 70), Joey Calistri; Gilberto (Kennedy Igboananike 79)
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS: David Ousted; Fraser Aird, Kendall Waston, Christian Dean, Sam Adekugbe; Deybi Flores, Pedro Morales (Kianz Froese 69), Cristian Techera (Blas Perez 76), Christian Bolanos, Kekuta Manneh (Marco Bustos 79); Octavi0 Rivero
