This Saturday, Nashville SC triumphed over Chicago Fire by a score of 2-0 in a match held at Soldier Field as part of the MLS Week 17. Hany Mukhtar opened the scoring with a goal in the 55th minute, followed shortly after by a second goal from Sam Surridge in the 64th minute, solidifying Nashville’s win.
In the first half, Jeisson Palacios nearly put Chicago on the board with a powerful shot that hit the post in the 31st minute but ultimately did not convert.
The standout player of the match was Joseph Willis, Nashville SC’s goalkeeper, who made an impressive nine saves, keeping Chicago at bay. Another key figure in defense was Andy Nájar, who played a crucial role in maintaining the clean sheet.
Chicago Fire’s head coach, Gregg Berhalter, opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Jeffrey Gal in goal; Jonathan Dean, Omar González, Jack Elliott, and Andrew Gutman in defense; Brian Gutiérrez, Mauricio Pineda, and Sergio Oregel in midfield; and Maren Haile-Selassie, Hugo Cuypers, and Jonathan Bamba up front.
Meanwhile, Nashville SC, managed by B. J. Callaghan, also fielded a 4-3-3 formation, featuring Joseph Willis in goal; Josh Bauer, Jack Maher, Jeisson Palacios, and Daniel Lovitz in defense; Edvard Tagseth, Gastón Brugman, and Alex Muyl in midfield; and Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge, and Ahmed Qasem leading the attack.
The referee for the match was Alexis Da Silva.
Looking ahead, Chicago Fire will host Philadelphia Union, while Nashville SC will play away against New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
Substitutions for Chicago Fire
65’ 2T – Jonathan Dean was replaced by Leonardo Barroso
71’ 2T – Maren Haile-Selassie was substituted for Tom Barlow
Yellow Cards for Chicago Fire:
43’ 1T – Sergio Oregel (Unsporting behavior)
17’ 2T – Omar González (Unsporting behavior)
Substitutions for Nashville SC
45’ 2T – Josh Bauer out for Andy Nájar and Mauricio Pineda out for Kellyn Perry-Acosta
63’ 2T – Ahmed Qasem substituted for Jonathan Pérez
76’ 2T – Gastón Brugman replaced by Patrick Yazbek
94’ 2T – Edvard Tagseth substituted for Matthew Corcoran
Yellow Cards for Nashville SC:
36’ 1T – Jack Maher (Holding the opponent to prevent an advance)
19’ 2T – Gastón Brugman (Unsporting behavior)
44’ 2T – Jonathan Pérez (Holding the opponent to prevent an advance)
47’ 2T – Edvard Tagseth (Holding the opponent to prevent an advance)
48’ 2T – Joseph Willis (Delaying the game)