RIDGELAND, MS - The Chicago Fire earned a well-contested 1-0 win over the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers through three 30-minute scrimmage periods at M&F Bank Stadium in Ridgeland, Miss., late Thursday afternoon. The game's only goal came courtesy of "Men in Red" trialist William Oliveira, who slotted home a low shot just inside the right post in the 54th minute that helped the Chicago side break a five-game losing streak in preseason play. Up next is a Saturday encounter against Chivas USA at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Fire forward Chad Barrett had first chance of the first period for the Fire with an open look in the eighth minute, but his strike rocketed high over the bar for a UAB goalkick. The "Men in Red" put the heat on around the 15th minute, forcing UAB to play the majority of remaining ten minutes of the period inside its own half. A long-range rip from midfielder Thiago in the 18th minute knuckled on frame and straight into the hands of UAB goalkeeper Wes Johnson, who also made a solid save in the 20th minute off a blast from midfielder Mike Banner.
The second 30-minute period saw the Fire make wholesale changes, subbing in seven players while UAB continued with its starting eleven. In the 40th minute the Fire got creative, as a scooped ball in the box from Thiago met the head of Barrett for a flick-on to Oliveira, but the Brazilian was called offside. Fire rookie midfielder Nate Norman sent a hard cross into the box that just missed the forehead of fellow-rookie forward Jerson Monteiro in the 49th minute. Speedy UAB midfielder Two-Boys Gumede took a crack toward the left upper ninety that forced a tip-save from Fire goalkeeper David Mahoney in the 53rd minute. One minute later, a long pass out of the back from rookie defender Bakary Soumare connected with midfielder Brian Plotkin, who took a touch and flicked a ball past the UAB backline for Oliveira to run onto, and the trialist's shot kissed off the inside of the right post and rolled in for a 1-0 Fire lead and an eventual Fire victory.
Scoring Summary:
CHI - William Oliveira (Bakary Soumare, Brian Plotkin) 54
Fire Lineup (3-5-2): GK-Matt Pickens (Mahoney 30) (Jon Busch 60), D-Gonzalo Segares, D-Jim Curtin (Bakary Soumare 30), D-C.J. Brown (Jordan Russolillo 30), M-Mike Banner (Nate Norman 46), M-Chris Armas (Brian Plotkin 30), M-Diego Gutierrez (Floyd Franks 30), M-Logan Pause (William Oliveira 30), M-Thiago (Erik Hort 46), F-Chad Barrett (Jerson Monteiro 46), F-Chris Rolfe (Calen Carr 30).
Subs Not Used: Justin Mapp, Osei Telesford, Daniel Woolard.
Blazers Lineup (4-4-2): GK-Wes Johnson, D-Logan Blake Alexander, D-Dean Sorrell, D-Joe Klosterman, D-Jonah Stewart (Darnell Brown 72), M-Alandus Brooks, M-Trey Gregory, M-Two-Boys Gumede (John Markey 80), M-Derek Rios (Bobby Chanthongphio 45), F-Frank Brown (Drew Knaub 80), F-Shane Elsner (Kevin Sawchak 60).
Discipline Summary: None
Referee: Doug Damico Referee Assistants: Jose Sanchez, Sly Ajayi, Sims Meredith
Attendance: 120 Weather: 83 Degrees, Partly Cloudy
