Chicago Fire 1, San Jose Earthquakes 0 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

Franco Panizo

It is often said that foreign players need some time to adapt to MLS before really finding their groove.

Well, John Goossens might be the latest example of that.

Goossens opened up his MLS scoring account to lift the Chicago Fire to a 1-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday night. The game-winner at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, came in the 58th minute via a venomous low shot that beat Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham to the near post.

It was a tight and even affair throughout the match between clubs looking to move up the standings in their respective conferences, but Goossens gave the Fire the edge. The 27-year-old Dutchman found the back of the net when he tracked down a clearance and fired a line drive from outside the penalty area.

The victory improved Chicago to 3-7-5, but left them in last place in the east. San Jose, meanwhile, is 5-5-7, and occupies the west's eighth-place spot.

Box Score

58' - CHI - John Goossens
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Three Things

GAME-WINNING PERFORMANCE: John Goossens did more than just score an impressive and decisive goal on Friday. The Fire midfielder showed confidence and skill on the ball throughout his time on the field, even in moments in the first half when the game was at a complete standstill. He even nutmegged a pair of Earthquakes players in the opening stanza to demonstrate the quality he has, and then came up with a powerful finish in the 58th minute to give the Fire the three points.
YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE: Another Chicago player who turned in a very solid outing was Rodrigo Ramos. The 21-year-old right back was one of the most dangerous weapons the home team had, as he constantly got forward into the attack with confident dribbles and marauding runs. Ramos even drew a nasty foul in the second half that the Fire believed should have resulted in a red card for Shaun Francis.
POSSESSION WITHOUT PRODUCTION: The Earthquakes won in the possession column by a 58.9-to-41.1 mark, but had trouble translating that into clear-cut chances. San Jose finished the game with just two shots on target, with returning striker Chris Wondolowski left starving for chances.