Chicago Fire burns fast and hot, but not long enough

Chicago Fire (0-1-6) burns fast and hot, but not for long enough to stop Real Salt Lake (3-0-5), in this match that pitted the only remaining unbeaten team against one of the last two clubs without a win.

Both clubs started out with high energy but things seemed to be going all Chicago’s way early as Mike Magee took advantage of Nick Rimando deflection in the 22nd minute and put Chicago on the the score board first.  Even though RSL looked to have control of the field of play Chicago was able to capitalize after a yellow card on Chris Schuler with a cross from Greg Cochrane to Juan Luis Anangono in the 30th minute for their second goal of the night.

RSL had their chances in the first half.  In the 36th minute Alvaro Sabario took pass from Joao Plata and fired wide of the net with a right footed shot.  One minute later Chris Schuler misses to the left of the box with a header.  then in the 39th minute Joao Plata who had been sending the ball into his teammates took anther shot on Goal for RSL.

The only real threat that the Fire were able to make in the remainder of the first half was a header from Mike Magee in the 43rd minute that missed to the left.

At the half the Fire led Real Salt Lake 2-0, but the mood in the RSL locker room was upbeat as they still felt that they had a good chance at leaving Chicago with a point.

The second half picked up right where the first half left off, with RSL continuing to dominate possession of the ball.  Chicago had a great chance to put their goal count at 3 in the 63rd minute when Mike Magee was able to catch the RSL backfield short handed as he takes a shot from the center of the box that Nick Rimando was able to just tap up enough to hit the cross bar and as it came back down Rimando was out of position, but Magee was called for a handball as he battle to put the ball away.

 

In the 69th minute Jeff Cassar added more firepower for RSL as he changed things up by substituting Sebastian Velasquez for Luke Mulholland and Kenny Mansally for Chris Wingert.  The new lineup had an immediate impact as Joao Plata was on the receiving end of a Javier Morales pass to net the ball in the 72nd minute.

In the 88th minute RSL added more offensive power as Olmes Gargia subbed in for Nat Borchers in a daring bid to leave Chicago with a point, but left Rimando shorthanded in the defensive end.  Again this change had the desired effect as Alvaro Sabario netted a goal in the 90th minute of play on an assist from Kenny Mansally.

Real Salt Lake was able to move into the lead for the first time in the match in the 93rd minute as Joao Plata scored his second goal of the match with help from Ned Grabavoy.

With RSL getting the result tonight they remain the only unbeaten club in Major League Soccer and move into second place in the west, while Chicago is yet to get 3 points this season, with the Portland Timbers getting a win today they are the only club left that has not notched a win.

Up Next:

Real Salt Lake (4-0-5) travels to BBVA Compass Stadium  to take on the Houston Dynamo (3-4-2) on May 11rd at 5:00 MST.  Real Salt Lake puts their unbeaten record on the line having never beaten the Dynamo in Houston.

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