By Chris Tsakonas
New York City’s playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread after falling 2-1 to the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field this afternoon. Hannes Wolf opened the scoring for the Pigeons in the 19th minute, while Anton Saletros equalized in the 55th minute and Maren Haile-Selassie scored the match-winner in the 87th minute.
Here are three observations from today’s match.
Wolf draws first blood for the Pigeons
From the opening whistle, New York City didn’t control the possession battle against Chicago in the manner that they typically do. Through the first 15 minutes, Chicago held 57 percent of the ball through the first 15 minutes, leaving New York City to create pressure off of giveaways and counters.
In the 19th minute, the Pigeons struck against the run of play. Agustin Ojeda floated the ball to the back post side, where it fell to Hannes Wolf on the edge of the area. Wolf floated a slow, looping shot over goalkeeper Chris Brady and into the back of the net.
It was Wolf’s sixth goal of the season, and it put New York City in the driver’s seat early at Soldier Field.
Chicago overcome man advantage
Things went from bad to worse for the Fire in the 42nd minute. After passing the ball at midfield, James Sands fell to a late, studs-up challenge from Fire midfielder Dje D’Avilla. The challenge earned D’Avilla a second yellow and ejected him from the game.
Despite going down a man, the Fire controlled the run of play and applied heavy, persistent pressure in the Pigeons’ final third. The surge paid off in the 55th minute, when Maren Haile Selassie played a cross into the middle that was headed home by Saletros.
Freese miscue costs New York City the match
In the 87th minute, a mistake at the back ultimately cost New York City all three points.
Raul Gustavo played it back to Matt Freese, who tried to play it towards Thiago Martins on the right – but the pass was misplayed and underhit, and Haile-Selassie intercepted the pass and slotted it into the back of the net.
It was the 17th time in 28 matches this season that New York City conceded a goal in the final 30 minutes, and this time it gifted Chicago the win.
“The second goal is something that I don’t understand, because just prior to the moment of conceding this second goal, there’s a brilliant save from [Freese] inside the box with the movement that we weren’t able to block a shot,” Pascal Jansen said. “For Matty to amek this call int his moment during the game is a strange one for me, and that is something we have to discuss. Obviously, it’s something that backfired.”
Next Match
It’s a quick turnaround for New York City, who will head down to the Sunshine State for a Wednesday night matchup against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
Live commentary with Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence will get underway at 7:15 p.m. at newyorkcityfc.com/radio and the TuneIn app.
