Chicago Fire Goals: 28' Sapong
NYCFC Goals: 40' Mitriță
Quick Summary
New York City FC remains undefeated in the last eight matches, the City came away with one point, 1-1, against Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium. Both goals of the match came before half-time as C.J. Sapong struck first for the Fire in the 28' minute. Not long after, Alexandru Mitriță scored the equalizer to tie up the game on an assist by Maxi Moralez.
The Road Blues have had a successful run, bringing them to 19 points and the longest singular season undefeated streak in franchise history. #ForTheCity
Match Recap
NYCFC traveled to the Windy City looking to extend a seven-match unbeaten streak and make it four consecutive road wins.
Dome Torrent made one change to the lineup which started the 2-0 win at LA Galaxy last time out, bringing in Alexandru Mitriță for Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, who started the match as a substitute.
Chicago made the brighter start to the match and were on top for long stretches of the first period, although clear chances to score were at a premium.
Despite soaking up pressure, it was NYCFC who had the game’s first meaningful opportunity on 11’, when Maxi Moralez’s exquisite first touch opened up the final third.
The Argentine picked out Héber who was through on goal, and did everything right, but was unfortunate to see his chipped shot come back off the crossbar.
The Fire were asking the majority of the questions in the first period and took the lead with 28’ on the scoreboard courtesy of a goal from C.J. Sapong. The goal was awarded only after a lengthy video review, it was City’s first away concession in more than 270 minutes of play.
However, Dome Torrent’s men were able to recover and hit back just before the half-time break, thanks to Mitriță.
The Romanian let rip with an unstoppable drive from distance to level the match five minutes before the interval, for his third goal in MLS.
After the break, City were much-improved from the first half and more like the side which had won its last three road assignments without conceding.
For a moment, it looked like NYCFC had been awarded a penalty early in the second half after Mitriță was tripped up, but after another lengthy video review. The call once again went against the away team, with the referee adjudging that the contact was outside of the area.
City were indebted to their goalkeeper Sean Johnson for maintaining parity with 15’ to go after he made a strong sprawling save with his foot on his return to his former home.
Torrent used all three substitutes available to him down the back straight, bringing in Taty Castellanos, Ebenezer Ofori and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi to try and find the winning goal, but both teams would have to be content with a point.
On the balance of play, it was probably the fair result and one that takes NYCFC’s undefeated streak to eight games – the longest such singular season streak in Club history.
Man of the Match
Alexandru Mitriță
Mitriță scored the lone goal for the Boys in Blue, continuing the undefeated streak. His speed and his accuracy paid off in his return to Dome Torrent's Starting XI. What a return for the forward!
How We Lined Up
What's Next
NYFC's road campaign continues as the Road Blues head to Mapfre Stadium to take on the Columbus Crew SC next Saturday, before heading home to celebrate Pride Night! Buy your tickets now...
