Philip Zinckernagel Makes Fire History With MLS All-Star Game Goal
Wednesday night’s MLS All-Star Game delivered in every way. A crowd of 35,197 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte watched as the MLS All-Stars took down the Liga MX All-Stars 4-3.
For the Chicago Fire, the event was particularly special.
Philip Zinckernagel, who has enthralled Chicagoans with his play for the last year-and-a-half, showed the continent just how good a footballer he is. His first-half goal helped MLS to victory and ended an 18-year-long goalscoring abstinence for the Fire at the All-Star Game.
What with Zinckernagel being a last-minute addition to the roster, not many Fire fans expected to see him start. MLS All-Stars head coach Dean Smith, however, seemed to have taken a liking to the Dane. When the lineups were announced an hour before kickoff, Zinckernagel’s name was on the team sheet. He linked up with LAFC’s Son Heung-Min and Red Bull New York’s Julian Hall in the front three.
Son and Gil Dominate Early
Though the MLS side controlled the tempo of play early on, it was Liga MX who took an early lead. Luis Gabriel Rey punished MLS’ defensive complacency in the 9th minute, heading the ball into the back of the net on an in-swinging free kick delivery from Juan Brunetta. The visitors had a 1-0 advantage with their first shot of the game.
Zinckernagel had his first major involvement in the 15th minute, when he played an inventive one-two with Hany Mukhtar. The Fire forward took a left-footed shot from just outside the box that bounced awkwardly in front of goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo, but the Santos Laguna man managed to collect the ball. Zinckernagel continued to pose a problem, however, creating a host of dangerous chances for the MLS All-Stars.
The equalizer came in the 20th minute, courtesy of captain Son. Carles Gil found the Korean in acres of space on the left side. Son made no mistake, firing a low shot into the back of the net. Three minutes later, he had his brace, courtesy of a volleyed finish from yet another Gil assist, this time a brilliant lofted delivery. Just like that, MLS had flipped the script and led 2-1.
And Then… Enter Zinckernagel
Just when it looked like the Mexican side might work their way back into the game, Zinckernagel said not so fast. With 42 minutes on the clock, he stamped his authority on the All-Star Game.
The 31-year-old first combined with Sam Surridge to open up space on the right side, before the Nashville SC striker set up Guilherme for the shot. The latter’s effort was blocked away, but in came the Great Dane. The Chicago star saw Acevedo floored and rolled his shot into the middle of the goal. The MLS All-Stars took a 3-1 lead into the break, and Zinckernagel etched his name into the Fire history books once more.
With his goal, the attacking midfielder became just the second Chicago player to score in the All-Star Game, breaking an 18-year drought. The only earlier goal came from Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who netted against West Ham United in 2008. Additionally, the fine finish made it two goal involvements in two All-Star appearances for Zinckernagel.
One Dane made way for another at halftime, as Anders Dreyer replaced Zinckernagel. History had already been written, though, and the Fire’s number 11 left the game with his head held high.
Entertainment Until the End
With a two-goal deficit and a number of substitutes coming on, the Liga MX All-Stars came out for the second half hungry. It was no surprise then when Salomon Rondon made it 3-2 in the 55th minute. The former Premier League star, now at Pachuca, slotted an easy finish home from a delectable backheel assist by Nathan Silva. That goal seemed to rouse the many fans sporting Mexican club and national team kits in Charlotte.
The excitement was short-lived though, as Evander made it 4-2 four minutes later. Andy Najar’s cross from the right was flicked on by both Dreyer and Surridge, before Evander left goalkeeper Carlos Moreno with no chance.
Rondon thought he had won a penalty off Jackson Regan shortly thereafter. Liga MX’s chance at cutting the deficit to one again was denied by a VAR review, which determined Rondon had gone to ground too easily. The Mexican outfit finally got their third goal in stoppage time through Jose Paradela, but it was too little, too late.
The final whistle gave the MLS All-Stars a 4-3 victory in the highest-scoring All-Star Game since 2010. Son picked up Most Valuable Player honors, trumping Gil and Rondon for the honor.
Zinck Soaks It All In
Speaking to media after the game, Zinckernagel was overjoyed.
“It feels great, a proud moment,” he answered when asked about his historic goal.
“We were talking about it before the game, that I had an assist [last year] and that it would be fun to score.”
The Fire were one of the league’s best teams before the World Cup break; losing two All-Star nominees was a blow, but Zinckernagel certainly made up for it.
“Obviously it’s sad that those guys couldn’t come,” he said.
“But I’m happy to represent Chicago. I think it’s well-deserved that we have at least one guy in the All-Stars.”
Now, the veteran will have little time to recharge before a game between the Fire and Charlotte FC this weekend.
That fixture will pit him against the All-Star coach in Smith.
“There was a lot of banter,” Zinckernagel admitted.
“He told me I had to play 90 [minutes] and a double session yesterday… It’s going to be fun to see them again on Saturday.”
The Men in Red welcome back their history-maker and go for three points against the Crown on Saturday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm at Soldier Field.
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