Minnesota United Fall to Chicago Fire 2-1

April 8, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Minnesota United FC News Release

CHICAGO, Ill. — High pressure throughout the match and a brace by Kei Kamara was more than Minnesota United could handle on Saturday night as the Loons fell to the Chicago Fire by a 2-1 score at Soldier Field.

The two teams faced each other at Soldier Field for the first time in the all-time series between the clubs, and the Chicago side took the front foot early and throughout the majority of the first half. In the 24th minute, Chicago’s Kei Kamara scored the first goal of the game, dribbling past the Loons defense and tucking the ball inside the bottom near-post. The goal was originally ruled offside, but a VAR check overturned the call, awarding the goal. Kamara struck again in the 36th minute when he connected a header off an Arnaud Souquet cross, doubling the Fire’s lead to 2-0 before halftime.

Minnesota’s closest scoring chances in the first half came from Robin Lod’s back-heel attempt in the 31st minute and Wil Trapp’s strike atop the 18-yard box in the 32nd minute, but both chances were saved.

After a pressure-filled start to the second half, in the 56th minute, the Loons were awarded a free kick from long distance. Kervin Arriaga took the set piece, shooting a powerful strike that Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady mishandled while making an attempt to save, and the ball bounced into the net, cutting the lead to 2-1. The goal is notably Arriaga’s second-ever goal scored with MNUFC, his first was against Chicago on April 23, 2022.

Minnesota United’s newly-acquired attacker, Sang Bin Jeong, made his club and MLS debut Saturday night against the Fire when he entered the match as a substitute in the 61st minute, replacing Luis Amarilla. This appearance notably makes Jeong just the sixth-ever South Korean born player to make a game appearance in MLS action.

In the 86th minute, MNUFC’s Kemar Lawrence sent a ball into Chicago’s box, where MNUFC then fired off two close-range shots that forced Brady to make a double save, marking late scoring opportunities for the Loons to try and equalize. But, time ran out and the match ended 2-1 in favor of the home team.

With the loss, Minnesota United holds a 3-1-2 (W-L-D) record and 11 points in 2023 regular-season action.

BELL BANK MAN OF THE MATCH: Kervin Arriaga

LINEUPS:

Minnesota United XI: GK Dayne St. Clair; D Kemar Lawrence, Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall, DJ Taylor; M Wil Trapp (c), Kervin Arriaga, Franco Fragapane, Robin Lod,…