Chicago Fire 1-1Draw with Seattle Sounders FC
SEATTLE, Wash. (June 23, 2018) – In an end-to-end match that saw 33 combined shots taken, the Chicago Fire (5-7-5, 20 points) took a share of the points in a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders (3-8-3, 14 points) on Saturday evening at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash.
Aleksandar Katai opened scoring in the 9th minute when he received the ball from Jorge Corrales on the left flank. Katai chipped the ball forward for Brandt Bronico, who chested it down and played a backheel pass back to Katai. The Serbian took two touches to settle before sending his right-footed blast from distance past a diving Stefan Frei to give the Fire the 1-0 lead. The assist was Bronico’s fourth in four career MLS regular season starts.
Clint Dempsey equalized in the 22nd minute to draw the Sounders level.
A hard push for the match-winner went deep into stoppage time, but late looks from Katai, Nemanja Nikolić, and second half substitution Alan Gordon, were unsuccessful.
The Men in Red return home to home to host New York City FC at Toyota Park on Saturday, June 30 at 7 p.m. CT (ESPN+/Univision Deportes Chicago 1200AM). Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. CT with a live pregame show on ESPN+ presented by CIBC.
Tickets for the match, which is presented by CIBC, are available by calling 888-MLS-FIRE or visiting www.chicago-fire.com/tickets.
Veljko Paunović – Head Coach, Chicago Fire
On the match:
“I think that this was definitely one of the best games we’ve played this season and I’m very proud of our team. It’s very difficult for us to go home after this match and look at the fact that we didn’t win the game. It was a great game for the fans. Both teams had a lot of opportunities and it was a great soccer night. That’s the way our team always has to play. I’m so happy with the performance of the team. I know in the past I was a little bit harsh with Katai, but he had a fantastic game and I knew that he could do that. He has to work and figure out a way to work for the team in both directions. Together with the others, he had a fantastic game. It was good to see how we managed to play with the ball, having possession, creating a lot of opportunities and finding the right spots to receive the ball to commit their defenders.
On the other side, I think we also were solid defending. We did concede one goal and we had some difficult situations to deal with in the second half with opportunities that Seattle created, but we definitely were capable of fixing things and saving the situations that were dangerous. I think it was fantastic to see the performance in the attack with how many chances we created. We just needed to be a little bit more sharp. That will come. We just need to keep growing. The games like this, even though you feel like you swallowed a rock because you didn’t win, you’re happy to see your team playing this way.”
On having a full week to prepare for the upcoming match against New York City FC:
“It’s important always. We are a team that doesn’t complain or give excuses. We are the team that just wants to get better and learn to compete so we can win. That’s our mindset. If we have to play a game in two days, we’ll play the game. Now we have a little more time so we’ll recover, prepare and we’ll go with this confidence and this huge boost of great energy and atmosphere in the locker room to try to get the three points against New York City FC. They’re another great team and another difficult opponent, but we’re growing and getting to the point where all the pieces will tuck in together.”
Brandt Bronico – Midfielder, Chicago Fire
On the goal:
“I think me and Katai have developed a good chemistry over the last couple of weeks. I play off him and look for him going forward. He took a great first touch and it was a great finish.”
On having a week off before playing NYCFC:
“It’s extremely important to come out strong. Now that we have a whole week to prepare, we can get fresh legs back and hopefully take care of business against New York City FC at home. It’s a great opportunity for us and looking forward to it.”
On expecting a goal in the final 15 minutes:
“Yeah, I was surprised we didn’t score. I think we created a lot of chances and we gave our best efforts towards the goal. That’s sometimes just how the game is.”
Aleksandar Katai – Midfielder, Chicago Fire
On his goal:
“It’s important to me to continue to score goals. It’s good for me and good for the team, and it’s a big shame that we didn’t win the game.”
On getting a point in a tough environment:
“I thought we deserved three points. Also needed to collect points in the game against Colorado. We need to collect points to be in the playoffs.”
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Chicago Fire 1:1 Seattle Sounders FC
June 23, 2018 – CenturyLink Field
Attendance: 39,513
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Aleksandar Katai (Brandt Bronico) 9′
SEA – Clint Dempsey (Will Bruin, Harry Shipp) 22′
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Bastian Schweinsteiger (caution) 44′
CHI – Jonathan Campbell (caution) 62′
