Chicago Fire FC achieved their first road win of the season by defeating Toronto FC 4-1 at BMO Field on Saturday night. Goals from attackers Hugo Cuypers and Maren Haile-Selassie, defender Allan Arigoni, and defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda extended the Fire’s unbeaten run in MLS regular season play to four matches (2-0-2). This victory also marked the second occasion this season that Chicago scored four goals in a match.
First Half
The Fire started the match aggressively, creating multiple shots on goal early. Hugo Cuypers had a close chance in the eighth minute, followed by a dangerous effort from Allan Arigoni just two minutes later. Arigoni’s curling left-footed shot narrowly missed the target, beating Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran.
Chicago’s relentless pressure continued with two near-misses in quick succession. In the 16th minute, Kellyn Acosta and Maren Haile-Selassie combined on a short corner, resulting in a well-placed cross from Acosta to Cuypers, whose first-time volley went just wide. Two minutes later, Haile-Selassie’s powerful right-footed shot was denied by Gavran.
The Fire finally broke the deadlock in the 41st minute. Fabian Herbers recovered the ball deep in Toronto’s half and delivered a precise cross to Haile-Selassie, who scored with a confident header to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.
However, the lead was short-lived as Toronto equalized just three minutes later. Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady was unable to hold onto Lorenzo Insigne’s deflected shot, allowing Toronto to level the score at 1-1 just before halftime.
Second Half
Despite conceding before the break, Chicago Fire maintained their strong performance in the second half. They regained the lead with two goals in three minutes. In the 57th minute, Hugo Cuypers dispossessed defender Kevin Long on the right wing and curled a left-footed strike into the far corner, tallying his sixth goal of the season.
Shortly afterward, Chicago added a third goal. After winning the ball back deep inside Toronto’s half, Brian Gutiérrez played a give-and-go with Haile-Selassie and then set up Mauricio Pineda. Pineda struck a powerful shot into the far right corner, scoring his first goal of the season.
The Fire sealed their victory with a fourth goal. Allan Arigoni received a pass from Herbers on the right wing, dribbled forward, and cut inside to curl his shot past Gavran into the far corner, rounding out the scoring for Chicago.
Team and Player Contributions
Hugo Cuypers: Scored his sixth goal of the season, showcasing his skill and composure.
Maren Haile-Selassie: Netted the opening goal with a header and provided an assist, demonstrating his offensive capabilities.
Allan Arigoni: Scored a stunning goal and contributed significantly to the team’s attack.
Mauricio Pineda: Added a crucial goal, highlighting his versatility as a defender/midfielder.
Post-Match Reaction
Head coach Ezra Hendrickson praised his team’s performance, stating, "The effort and determination from the players were outstanding. Securing our first road win and extending our unbeaten run shows the progress we’re making."
Conclusion
Chicago Fire FC’s 4-1 victory over Toronto FC was a testament to their attacking prowess and defensive resilience. With multiple players contributing to the scoreline, the Fire demonstrated their depth and quality. As they continue their unbeaten run, maintaining this momentum will be key to their success in the upcoming matches.
