Chicago Fire FC II gets two points against Columbus Crew 2 in penalty shootout victory

Columbus, Ohio (June 21, 2024) – Chicago Fire FC II (6-2-5-4) defeated Columbus Crew 2 (5-5-4-3) in penalties Friday night at Historic Crew Stadium to earn an extra point on the road . With Chicago winning the extra point, the Fire are now undefeated in their last five games. The Fire have collected 13 points out of a possible 15 during this series, as they are now in the top three in the Eastern Conference.

With summer in full swing, a hot night in Ohio featured aggressive play, with both teams finding numerous chances in the first 45 minutes as a total of 19 shots were taken in the first half. Midfielder Christian Koffi was the first to threaten in the fourth minute by launching a right-footed shot past the diving goalkeeper, but the ball ricocheted off the left post.

After a long punt by Fire goalkeeper Patrick Los, a fumbled bounce just outside the Columbus penalty area gave defender Omari Glasgow the opportunity to sneak one over the goalkeeper's head. Columbus encroaching, but the shot was just off target to the left. from goalkeeper Stanislav Lapkes.

A brief break in the action for Water in the 30th minute allowed both teams to reset and Columbus came out of the break looking to force their way onto the scoreboard by putting pressure on the keeper of Fire. Los did not falter, making two impressive saves in the final minutes of the half. A kick save prevented the ball from sneaking inside the near post while a dive to his right several minutes later kept the score level before halftime.

With the Crew controlling the ball in front of their own net, Fire forward David Poreba applied pressure and disrupted the goalkeeper's rhythm, resulting in an errant pass towards the middle of the area. Midfielder Harold Osorio capitalized on the mistake with a one-touch strike into the vacant net to give the Fire a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.

As the game neared the end, Columbus made an effort in the 89th minute. A pair of well-placed passes gave Crew forward Jayden Da the chance to score one and tie the game at one apiece. Nine minutes of added time were added, but the score remained deadlocked, sending the match to penalties.

Each team made their first two penalties. Los saved Columbus' third goal with a dive to his right, but Lapkes also made a save to keep it even after three rounds of penalties. Two more converted penalties from each side sent the game to sudden death, where the Fire won in the eighth round with midfielder Juan Calle burying the decisive goal to give Chicago the extra point.

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The score of the box:Columbus Crew 2 1(6) : 1(7) Chicago Fire FC II

Goals:
CHI – Osorio (8) (WATCH) 55'
CLB – Da (3) Alaouieh (1) (WATCH) 89'

Discipline:
CLB – Mrowka (Yellow Card) 36'
CHI – Glasgow (Yellow Card) 42'
CLB – Pearson (Yellow Card) 70'

Chicago Fire FC II: GK Los, D Glasgow (Borso, 46'), D Diouf (Blake, 65'), D Shannon, D Konincks, D Soudan, M Koffi (Calle, 86'), M Osorio (Prpa, 57'), M Heuer , M Oregel (Shokalook, 57'), F Poreba (captain)

Unused subs: GK Stechnij

Columbus 2 crew: GK Lapkes, D Pearson, D Almeida, D Rogers, M Presthus, M De Libera (capt.), M Gonzalez (Rincon, 75'), M Brown (Williams, 85'), F Mrowka (Alaouieh, 75'), F Da, F Adams (Rayo, 85')

Unused subs: GK Catlett, GK Johnson, D Greene, D Lindimore, F Adu-Gyamfi

Summary of statistics: CLB / CHI
Shots: 12/19
Shots on goal: 6/5
Pass accuracy: 87.6% / 79.1%
Saves: 4/5
Corners: 6/4
Fouls: 12/10
Offside: 1/6
Ownership: 63.2% / 36.8%

Arbitrator: Nabil Bensalah
Assistant Ref 1: Eric Burton
Assistant Ref 2: Sharon Ginger
4th Official: Tre Gaither