The Chicago Fire Reserves (3-3-0, 9pts.) defeated the Toronto FC Reserves (4-3-0, 12 pts.) 3-0 on Sunday in a Major League Soccer Reserve Division match today at TOYOTA PARK. Fire forward Patrick Nyarko recorded the game-winning goal in the 21st minute, while forward Brad North and midfielder Mike Banner tallied insurance goals in the 65th and 66th minutes respectively. Nyarko was credited with the assist on both goals.
Fire Forward Patrick Nyarko opened scoring in the 21st minute of play. The Toronto defense attempted to send a ball back to the goalkeeper Brian Edwards, but Nyarko ran onto the ball, took a touch around Edwards, and placed a ball in the lower left corner of the net.
The Fire nearly doubled the lead in the second half as Nyarko was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty kick opportunity for Chicago. Edwards made the save of the game, deflecting midfielder Peter Lowry's penalty kick directed toward the lower left post. Edwards made another important save, coming off his line to smother a one-on-one situation with Nyarko just two minutes later.
The Fire scored two goals in rapid succession as Nyarko fed balls to North and Banner in the 65th and 66th minutes respectively. Nyarko beat a defender on the end line and slipped a ball to North running into the box for the Fire's second goal of the match. A minute later, Nyarko fed a through ball to Banner, who took a touch to the left of Edwards and finished for the 3-0 lead that held until the final whistle.
The Toronto FC Reserves return to action on Aug. 24, at home versus the New England Revolution Reserves (10:00 a.m. EST). The Fire Reserves will also face the Revolution Reserves in their next contest on Aug. 10 on the road in Foxboro, Mass. (10:00 a.m. EST).
Fire Lineup (4-4-2): GK-Nick Noble (Tyler Kettering 79), D-Austin Washington, D-C.J. Brown (Kai Kasiguran 56), D-Lider Marmol, D-Brian Plotkin (Danny Zwerling 79); M-Stephen King, M-Diego Gutierrez (captain) (Steve Bode 83), M-Peter Lowry, M-Mike Banner; F-Patrick Nyarko, F-Tomasz Frankowski (Brad North 60).
Toronto FC Lineup (4-4-2): GK- Brian Edwards, D-Tyler Hemming, D-Kilian Elkinson, D-Nana Attakora-Gyan, D-Julius James (Branko Majstorovic 38); M-Kevin Harmse (captain), M-Tyler Rosenlund, M-Jarrod Smith (Joe Rini 27), M-Gabe Gala; F-Jeff Cunningham, F-Abdus Ibrahim (Taylor Lord 46).
Scoring Summary
CHI - Patrick Nyarko (UA) 21'
CHI - Brad North (Patrick Nyarko) 65'
CHI - Mike Banner (Patrick Nyarko) 66'
Misconduct Summary
TFC - Tyler Hemming (caution, dissent) 62'
TFC - Brian Edwards (caution, dissent) 62'
