RECAP: Chicago Fire Suffer 2-1 Defeat to DC United
It was a competitive, back-and-forth affair when the Chicago Fire hosted DC United in chilly conditions at Soldier Field on Saturday.
Ultimately, it was the capital-dwellers who got the better of their foes, 2-1.
The Fire will have much to think about after a late defensive collapse and some controversial refereeing decisions down the stretch.
Early Chances, No Goals
There was good news for the Fire pre-match: they had two more players available than last week. Hugo Cuypers returned after picking up a knock, while Jonathan Dean’s red card suspension expired. Both men were immediately named to the starting lineup. Dean’s inclusion meant Gregg Berhalter could afford to play his preferred four-man defense for the first time all season.
The first half was scoreless, though it wasn’t for lack of chances. Cuypers had multiple efforts sail just off the mark early on. Philip Zinckernagel, meanwhile, thought he’d won the Men in Red a penalty when he went down in the box. Instead, the referee booked the Dane for diving, and the match went on.
The visitors, though largely on the back foot in the first half, seemed to take the lead on the stroke of halftime. Tai Baribo slotted a finish past the diving Chris Brady. After a VAR review, Baribo’s teammate Jackson Hopkins was judged to have obstructed Brady while in an offside position. DC’s seeming opener was chalked off, and the two sides went into the locker room deadlocked at 0-0.
Second Half Pandemonium
The second half was more of the same on both sides of the pitch. The hosts threatened more, but DC United kept the Fire defense on its toes. Brady made a majestic save with his legs in the 63rd minute to deny Joao Peglow. All the while, Chicago’s potent attack was largely silenced by block after block from the DC defenders.
In the 81st minute, the Fire finally caught a break. Jumping up to defend a Zinckernagel corner, Hopkins headed the ball onto his outstretched right arm. Immediately, the Men in Red appealed for handball, and the referee headed to the monitor for another review. The penalty was awarded, and Cuypers smashed the spot kick into the middle of the net to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.
The lead didn’t last long, however. Just three minutes after going up, the Fire paid for their mistakes. Keisuke Kurokawa’s cross was poorly dealt with by the hosts, and Matti Peltola won possession just inside the box. His shot deflected off of Mbekezeli Mbokazi and trickled in to make it 1-1 late.
There was one more twist to the tale, much to Chicago’s chagrin. As stoppage time began, the game was paused for a third VAR review, this one far longer. A ball that was heading out for a goal kick was judged to have been illegally handled by Dean. Baribo dispatched the penalty, and DC secured a 2-1 win against the run of play.
A Difficult Loss to Process
With the defeat, the Fire slip to 1-2-1 on the season and sit on four points. Their lives won’t get any easier next week, as they travel to Pennsylvania to take on the Philadelphia Union.
That clash is slated for 3:30 pm on Saturday, March 21st.
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