Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Red Cross |
Match Report
An overcast sky looms overhead here at Toyota Park where Chicago Fire play host to Colorado Springs Switchbacks. A crowd of 13,630 fill this 14,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in good condition.
Chicago Fire are playing in a 4-4-2 formation while Colorado Springs Switchbacks appear to be shaped for 5-2-3.
Today's match is refereed by Danny Diaz.
The pitch is in good condition.
Chicago Fire are playing in a 4-4-2 formation while Colorado Springs Switchbacks appear to be shaped for 5-2-3.
Today's match is refereed by Danny Diaz.
0.00
0-0The whistle blows and Colorado Springs Switchbacks kick off!
4.33
0-1Juan Cruz Flores deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Blake Jones. Blake Jones takes it forward alone. Blake Jones knocks in a cross ball towards Angel Korb. Angel Korb is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. The ball clips the inside of the post and flies into the back of the net!! Goal for Colorado Springs Switchbacks!
9.46
0-1Luciano Blanco surges forward with the ball. Luciano Blanco knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
16.17
0-1Dale Rivera threads a neat ball through to Dave Hughes. Dave Hughes plays a quick one-two with Nelson Besler and rushes in on goal... Dave Hughes cuts inside the defence and shoots at goal. Cheyne Yates easily gets down and covers it.
34.02
Jaime Bejarano flicks a high pass forward. Luciano Blanco controls it well on his chest. Luciano Blanco makes a simple pass to Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio lofts in a cross ball towards Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. Jamie Watson scores for Chicago Fire!!
38.18
1-1Luciano Blanco makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio shoots from 20 yards but it is miles over!
39.28
Sixto Escobar knocks the ball to his team mate, Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
42.37
Casey Alston controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson rushes past Elmer Willis! Jamie Watson tries a spectacular strike. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
44.47
Dale Rivera sees space and advances. Dale Rivera finds some space and shoots from distance. It curls slightly but Cheyne Yates manages to gather it.
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half
Both teams emerge for the second half. Chicago Fire have changed their lineup with Hernan Batistuta replacing Jamie Watson. Colorado Springs Switchbacks appear unchanged since the first half. Both teams look fired up and appear much more hungry than they were previously.
45.00
The whistle blows and Chicago Fire get the second half underway!
47.46
1-1Luciano Blanco chips the ball to his team mate, Hernan Batistuta. Hernan Batistuta plays a one-two with Rafael Palacio and advances towards the goal... Juan Cruz Flores hacks Hernan Batistuta from behind! That's got to be a penalty! No, the ref waves play-on!!
54.23
With vision, Jeremy Knighton picks a pass forward to Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio shoots from long range but it's a woeful effort!
55.41
Jaime Bejarano controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Luciano Blanco. Luciano Blanco knocks the ball forward to Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Marcos Sosa.
72.58
Jeremy Knighton threads the ball through to Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Harold Clark who gathers it comfortably.
73.51
Jeremy Knighton flicks a high pass forward. Rafael Palacio collects the pass. Rafael Palacio knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Elmer Willis.
78.57
1-1Rafael Palacio clumsily knocks into Marcos Sosa. Rafael Palacio is warned by the referee! Marcos Sosa hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
79.07
1-1Nelson Besler catches Daniel Bulos on the ankles. Nelson Besler is shown the yellow card! Daniel Bulos stretches but gets up unharmed.
81.07
Carlos Koufatty flicks a high ball forward to Jeremy Knighton who takes it down. Jeremy Knighton flicks a high pass forward. Hernan Batistuta collects the pass. Hernan Batistuta knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
87.51
Casey Alston sees a break and surges forward. Casey Alston lofts in a cross ball towards Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio flicks the ball with his head but it flies well off target!
89.17
Juan Cruz Flores makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Blake Jones. Blake Jones makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Angel Korb. Angel Korb knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Cheyne Yates who gathers it comfortably.
90.00
The referee whistles full-time!
Match Statistics
Goals
1
1
Shots on Target
1
3
Shots off Target
4
0
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
1
1
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
70.8%
29.2%
Play Area
20.8%
44.4%
34.7%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Jamie Watson of Chicago Fire |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Cheyne Yates (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Daniel Bulos (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Carlos Koufatty (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Jaime Bejarano (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Julián Peña (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Sixto Escobar (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Jeremy Knighton (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Luciano Blanco (MID) | 8 | |
| 9. | Casey Alston (MID) | 7 | |
| 10. | Jamie Watson (ATT) |  | 9 |
| 11. | Rafael Palacio (ATT) | 7 | |
| 12. | Valentino Rossi (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Neil Kassel (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Hernan Batistuta (ATT) | 6 | |
| 1. | Harold Clark (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Chester Robinson (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Marcos Sosa (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Juan Cruz Flores (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Elmer Willis (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Gonzalo Hurtado (DEF) | 6 | |
| 7. | Blake Jones (MID) | 8 | |
| 8. | Dale Rivera (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Angel Korb (ATT) | | 8 |
| 10. | Nelson Besler (ATT) |  | 5 |
| 11. | Dave Hughes (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Thomas Phillips (GK) | 0 | |
| 13. | Maurice Davis (ATT) | 0 | |
| 14. | Bryan Myers (MID) | 0 | |