Nikolic winning 2017 MLS Golden Boot
Chicago Fire Fall 3-0 at Houston Dynamo in Final Regular Season Match.
Men in Red host New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, Oct. 25 in Eastern Conference Knockout Round.
In their final game before the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Chicago Fire fell by a 3-0 score on the road against the Houston Dynamo Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium. At the conclusion of 11 simultaneous matches on the final day of the MLS regular season, the Fire (16-11-7, 55 points) retained the third seed in the Eastern Conference and clinched a home game in the postseason’s knockout round.
Chicago will host the sixth-seeded New York Red Bulls (14-12-8, 50 points) in the knockout round at Toyota Park on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. CT (FS1/UniMas).
Additionally, Fire striker Nemanja Nikolic ended his inaugural season in MLS as the league’s 2017 Golden Boot winner, with his 24 goals leaving him two clear of second-place David Villa (NYCFC). Nikolic is the first Chicago Fire player in club history to claim the league’s top goal-scoring honor.
On Sunday, the Dynamo jumped out to an early lead on their home field with a goal in the second minute by defender Leonardo. A long throw-in by Adolfo Machado from the left touchline was redirected in traffic by Leonardo, clearing Fire goalkeeper Richard Sanchez at the far post.
The Fire bounced back from the early goal allowed and created a handful of chances to equalize, beginning in the eighth minute when Brandon Vincent outmaneuvered defender A.J. DeLaGarza en route to a right-footed shot in the area, but his attempt was just wide. Fire forward David Accam also managed to create back-to-back chances off the dribble in the first half but could not find net with either opportunity.
With the score the same after halftime, both sides pushed for the all-important second goal, which eventually fell for the host Dynamo. Forward Romell Quioto broke free on a counterattack and took a sharp-angled shot that was redirected into the net by a diving Sanchez.
Less than 10 minutes later, the playoff-bound Dynamo added a third courtesy of Mauro Manotas en route to the 3-0 win.
A 2-2 draw between New York City FC and Columbus Crew SC, coupled with a matching 2-2 draw between Atlanta United FC and Toronto FC, allowed the Fire to hold firm on the conference’s No. 3 seed and the third-highest regular-season point total in MLS this season.
Press releases;
Veljko Paunovic, Chicago Fire Head Coach…
Thoughts on the game
“For us, this game is past already. We have to turn to our playoff game at home and prepare for that game, which is our main objective right now. Obviously, at least the good news is that we didn’t have any injuries, any red cards or setbacks for our team, so we have to have a good workout in recovering our guys and preparing for the very important game we’re going to have in the next couple of days. This is our focus for now. The best is still to come, I think. Another positive is in the end of the game we saw our team didn’t give up until the end, we had some opportunities and almost scored a couple of goals even at 3-0, so that’s the thing that we are proud of. We are also proud of the third place in the regular season, but as I said, the best is yet to come, and I believe we have the right team and the right guys and the right mood to do important achievements this year.”
On the upcoming playoff match against the Red Bulls.. “It’s a game that we have to win, that’s all. It’s a must win game.”
Arturo Alvarez, Chicago Fire Midfielder
Thoughts on the game…
“It was a tough way to start the game. Their goal in the first minute took the wind from our sails and I think you could see that throughout the game. We had to respond in the best way possible and unfortunately this is the second time this has happened to us. The season is over now and we finished in third place. We have had a great season and now we have to focus on the playoffs.”
On the lack of goals in this game…
“Yes, we had opportunities but we didn’t take advantage of them. Hopefully in the next game, against the Red Bulls, in the playoffs, we will take advantage of those opportunities because we need to be sharper in front of goal. We need to do that so we can win and advance.”
On the team’s form heading into the playoffs…
“The season is now over and we finished in third place, not an easy task. I credit the players, technical staff and the fans that support us in Chicago. We have to move forward. Now that some teams are in the playoffs anything can happen – before you know it you are in and you win the MLS Cup.”
Nemanja Nikolic, Chicago Fire Forward
On winning the 2017 MLS Golden Boot…
“It’s a fantastic feeling, really. This competition in all strikers, everybody wants to win this award. Of course, the collective is the most important like always and I’m really happy that I can help my team to achieve the playoffs. To achieve good position in the playoffs, and along with that I scored goals so I really have been proud of everything that we achieved in regular season.”
On the team’s form heading into the playoffs
“Of course after the losing a game, you need to change your attitude and mentality, because in three days we will have a really important game and we need to be 100 percent there on the pitch. We cannot accept the bad day, bad touch with the ball or some bad momentum. We need to be focused 100 percent and for sure this team is strong. We know how to play under the pressure. We show this in this season also. We have up and down situations, but after every bad moment we stand up and keep pushing further. So for sure we will change our mentality from tomorrow. We will play in Toyota Park, where we are good. We win a lot of games there, and Wednesday we will have really good day. We can celebrate it, our sport.”
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