Chicago Fire 2, Minnesota United 0 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

With a 2-0 win over Minnesota United, the Chicago Fire are above the playoff line. 


The club are now unbeaten in three, with two straight wins following their 5-0 shellacking of the New England Revolution on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Loons now have just one win in their last six. 


Chicago opened the scoring with a masterclass of a counter attack, stemming from a defensive corner. They cleared their lines and were off to the races, culminating with Przemyslaw Frankowski squaring for Nico Gaitan to tap in, after a deft touch around Vito Mannone


Later in the first half, Aleksandar Katai doubled the lead. The Designated Player took Ike Opara on 1v1, pushed the ball left and, from a tight angle, whipped a low driven shot past Mannone into the side netting. It was his second goal of the season.


It was not all good news for Chicago, though, as Gaitan limped off in the first half with an apparent injury. The match was also Francisco Calvo's first against his former club since being traded little more than a week ago. 


Goals


  • 21' – CHI – Nico Gaitan | WATCH
  • 34' – CHI – Aleksandar Katai | WATCH


Three Things


  • THE BIG PICTURE: With two wins in a row and strong performances to boot, the Fire are rounding into form. Depending on the severity of Gaitan's injury, though, the club may keep climbing the standings.  
  • MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Watch this counter on repeat. It's art. 
  • MAN OF THE MATCH: With a goal and myriad dangerous attacks, Aleksandar Katai earns Man of the Match honors. Special mentions to Calvo and Bastian Schweinsteiger, too. 


Up next


  • CHI: Sat. May 18 at San Jose Earthquakes (3:30 pm ET | Univision in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada
  • MIN: Sat. May 18 vs. Columbus Crew SC (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN in US, on DAZN in Canada)