Fire Drop Three to Strong Sounders Side

Chicago Fire 1 - 2 Seattle Sounders
Arne Friedrich (og 39') Eddie Johnson (67')
Marco Pappa (89')

Chicago Fire (2-1-2)were looking to continue their best five-game-opening sequence in franchise history as they hosted the powerhouse, Seattle Sounders (3-1-1). Fire almost drew first blood in the 22nd minute when Mikulic Paladini was left unmarked in the 18 yard box; his shot, however ricocheted off a Sounder defender and out into touch. The Fire dominated set pieces in the first half, but were unable to net any chances.

Tragedy struck the Fire in the 38th minute when a weak cross from David Estrada caught the leg of German defender Arne Friedrich and dribbled past Sean Johnson, putting Seattle up, 1-0. The Sounders doubled their money in the 67th minute when a free kick from the boot of Fredy Montero managed to disrupt Sean Johnson enough to cause him to bauble his save. Eddie Johnson cleaned up the rebound and easily netted the ball home.

With little time left, the Fire were looking for a late comeback. Marco Pappa struck an ambitious ball from 55+ yards out, almost catching Sounders’ Michael Gspurning napping off his line. He did manage to strike gold in the 89th minute when he slotted a goal from his own corner kick. The Fire almost drew even in the 95th minute when Jalil Anibaba knocked an effort towards goal. That final push from the Fire was not enough and Seattle advances to 4-1-1 on the season as the Fire fall to 2-2-2. They will be looking to find the right side of victory as they face Chivas USA May 4.

By: Matthew Sinacore