Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - Red Bull New York had its six-game unbeaten
run snapped on Sunday as it fell to the Chicago Fire, 3-1, at Toyota Park in a
crucial Eastern Conference affair.
New York came into the match needing three points to keep pace with D.C.
United and Sporting Kansas City after they picked up wins on Saturday.
Instead, the Red Bulls faltered for the first time in league play since April
22 when it was crushed by United 4-1 at RFK Stadium.
Patrick Nyarko opened the scoring in Sunday's tilt with his first goal in nine
games. New York got back into the match thanks to an equalizer from Dax
McCarty, but Chicago earned the win thanks to second-half strikes from Gonzalo
Segares and Chris Rolfe.
New York (8-4-2) stays in third place on 26 points this term while Chicago
(6-5-3) improves to 21 points to climb to fourth.
Nyarko capped Chicago's bright start with a goal in the fourth minute of play.
Sebastian Grazzini was given plenty of time at the corner of the box to
collect possession and send in a beautiful chip that was nodded past Ryan
Meara with power.
New York staved off some more pressure and grew into the game, but still went
into halftime with a one-goal deficit.
The Red Bulls had the better running in the early part of the second half and
ultimately claimed a goal for their efforts. Medhi Ballouchy delivered a
corner kick into the box and McCarty lost his mark to head it past Sean
Johnson at the far post.
Controversy struck in the 64th minute when Dominic Oduro thought he had beaten
Meara on a breakaway. His shot slowly made its way toward goal but Wilman
Conde tracked back and denied Chicago with a sliding clearance. Replays showed
that the ball had narrowly crossed the line, much to the dismay of Fire head
coach Frank Klopas and the Toyota Park faithful.
It seemed to energize the Fire though as they grabbed the go-ahead goal just
four minutes later. Segares dribbled the ball into the penalty area by way of
the left side of the box and slid a pass in front of goal. Meara broke up the
play with a save but Segares slammed the rebound into the back of the net with
an emphatic finish.
Chicago added a third goal nine minutes from time as Nyarko broke free on the
right flank and centered a pass to an unmarked Rolfe. The Fire legend marked
his second match back with the club with a goal as he calmly slotted the ball
past Meara.
The Fire held on for the remainder of the match to take three points and snap
a two-game losing skid.
New York has a short break as it will head to BC Place to face Vancouver
Whitecaps FC on Wednesday, while Chicago returns to action Saturday when it
hosts the Columbus Crew.
GAME NOTES:
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