Chicago Fire FC Falls 2-1 to Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

April 23, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Chicago Fire FC News Release

Chicago Fire FC midfielder Brian Gutiérrez vs. Atlanta United
(Chicago Fire FC)

CHICAGO – Chicago Fire FC (2-2-4, 10 points) fell 2-1 to Atlanta United FC (5-1-3, 18 points) after conceding a goal during second half stoppage time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Second half substitute, Kacper Przybyłko, scored his second goal of the season in the 90th minute to bring the Fire level, following Giorgos Giakoumakis’ opening goal in the 13th minute. However, an own goal in the 99th minute would secure all three points for the home side, snapping Chicago’s four-match unbeaten run.

The Fire fell behind early in the match when a long pass found its way inside the box for midfielder Brooks Lennon, who then centered the ball through the Fire defense to Giakoumakis for the game’s opening finish.

Chicago bounced back with chances of their own and outshot Atlanta, 5-2, through the first 45 minutes of the match. The Fire’s best chance of the half came in the 37th minute, when winger Maren Haile-Selassie created space and found forward Kei Kamara just outside of the box, streaking towards the goal. Kamara registered a shot on target, but Atlanta goalkeeper Quentin Westberg was able to make the save.

Nearly midway into the second half, 19-year old Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady was forced to come up big to keep the Fire within one. In the 58th minute of play, Atlanta’s Matteus Rossetto found a trailing Thiago Almada, who fired a shot towards Brady that forced the young goalkeeper to make a sprawling save to keep the score at 1-0.

With the Fire still searching for an equalizer late in the match, Przybyłko was brought on and made an immediate impact in the final third. Pouncing on an errant pass from Atlanta, Przybyłko was left all alone on a breakaway against goalkeeper Clément Diop. Although Przybyłko’s initial shot was denied, the ball found Homegrown Brian Gutiérrez, who found a wide open Przybyłko to his left. The Polish striker would capitalize on his second attempt, scoring the equalizer and his second goal of the season in the 90th minute.

After the fourth official issued nine minutes of stoppage time, Atlanta nearly recaptured the lead off a set piece that was headed towards the goal by defender Juan José Purata, but was denied by Brady’s left-handed save. The Atlanta attack continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with a corner kick with a minute left in the…