New York City FC 3, Chicago Fire FC 1 | 2020 MLS Match Recap

Maxi Moralez returned from injury as a halftime substitute to help spark New York City FC to a 3-1 win over Chicago Fire FC Saturday at Red Bull Arena.

Moralez’s impact was felt almost immediately, serving up the assist on Anton Tinnerholm’s eventual game-winning goal in the 53rd minute.

It was the seventh assist in as many all-time appearances against the Fire for Moralez, who has been sidelined by a nagging calf injury suffered at the MLS is Back Tournament last month.

Tinnerholm took a settling first touch and finished clinically inside the far post to break the stalemate in the 53rd minute.

Keaton Parks opened the scoring in the 16th minute, equalling his goal total from a year ago. The midfielder received the ball in the box from an Alexandru Mitrita service and guided his low shot inside the far post.

Parks paid tribute to “Black Panther” actor Chadwick Boseman, who died Friday, with a “Wakanda Forever” celebration.

Four minutes later, Maxime Chanot headed off the post after latching onto Jesus Medina’s corner kick.

Mauricio Pineda leveled in first-half stoppage time with the unmarked rookie tapping past Sean Johnson after Francisco Calvo flicked on Alvaro Medran’s corner kick.

The Fire nearly equalized a second time in the 74th minute, but Alex Callens cleared Elliot Collier’s attempt off the line after Johnson initially misplayed.

A minute later, Alex Ring scored for a second consecutive game off an assist from Tinnerholm to put the game away.

Goals

• 16’ — NYC — Keaton Parks | WATCH
• 45’+2’ — CHI — Mauricio Pineda | WATCH
• 53’ — NYC — Anton Tinnerholm | WATCH
• 75’ — NYC — Alex Ring​ | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: It’s a wonder what back-to-back wins will do for a team. A week ago, the questions around NYCFC were plentiful following a derby defeat to the New York Red Bulls. Now six points from wins over Columbus and Chicago see the Cityzens move from last in the East to just below the playoff line.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: A gaffe here could have changed the game drastically with Collier seeking the tying goal. But Callens clears off the line and moments later Ring scored the clincher.

MAN OF THE MATCH
: Moralez’s impact was clearly felt when he came on for the start of the second half, but Tinnerholm was solid throughout, especially in the attacking third with a goal and an assist in the win.

Next Up

• NYC: Wednesday, September 2 at New England Revolution (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
• CHI: Wednesday, September 2 at FC Cincinnati (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)