C

Schelotto’s Two Heal Slow Start
Argentinean’s Penalty Ties Fire

By Robert Ivory

BRIDGEVIEW, IL- The 16,549 fans at Toyota Park thought at half time that the Chicago Fire were going to scorch by the Columbus Crew, as they led 2-0. But the Crew pulled together and were able to score two goals, including a Guillermo Barros Schelotto penalty, and hold on to their three point advantage on top of the Major League Soccer Eastern Division. 

The Fire led off the match in the 4th minute after a shot that came off a corner had to be cleared by the Crew’s captain, Frankie Hejduk. The Fire led off the scoring in the 6th minute when a bouncing ball in the box was put into the back of the net past the hands of the outstretched Crew keeper, William Hesmer. Peter Lawry scored on a ball that was set up by a pass in the box by Fire midfielder Brian McBride. For McBride, it was his second match in two months after surgery on his shoulder. Midfielder Chris Rolfe was credited for the second assist, but did not have a major hand in the play, as he was tripped up in the box, but was able to pass the ball to McBride before the fell to the ground.

Hejduk received a caution in the 7th minute after a tough tackle at midfield on Blanco. For his foul on the Fire superstar, Hejduk received a ‘warm’ Chicago greeting of boos and jeers every time he touched the ball throughout the game. After that point early in the first half, and the Fire were not contempt with their lead and pushed forward in search of a big lead.

The Crew broke the Fire’s line, only thanks to a deflection off of the Chicago defender, Wilman Conde. Conde misplayed the ball giving Alejando Moreno a chance to score on a breakaway, took a shot from the 18, but former Crew and current Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch had an easy time deflecting the shot out of harm’s way.
Chances for the Fire finding a second goal and a commanding lead were prevalent, as they kept the pressure on Columbus. In the 28th minute, the Fire looked destined for a goal as Rolfe and Marco Pappa connected for a nice give and go past the Crew backline, but Pappa put too much of a touch on the ball and Hesmer had no problems from safely collecting the ball.

The best chance the Crew had in the first half came in the 34th minute when an Emmanuel Ekpo shot went wide of Busch’s net. Ekpo got the ball from a Hejduk cross into the box that was headed over to the midfielder, but his erratic shot went well wide.

Just past the half an hour mark it was Lowry again that put the Fire ahead 2-0 when the Crew could not clear the ball. A Crew defender slide tackled the ball at the top of the box in the middle, but cleared it to a charging Lowry. Lowy put a good boot to the ball inside the box, through Gino Padula’s legs and beat Hesmer again to the goalie’s right side. An unofficial assist should be given to the Fire’s Blanco, as he stopped dead in his tracks, interfering with the Crew defender getting to Lowry and giving him an open shot.

“I didn’t see it until late,” the Crew goalie admitted. “It was a great shot that just made it into the net.”

Everybody in a red uniform looked to score on the Crew, including a recovered Brian McBride. Fire fans had to be happy to see the 37 year old’s inspiring form as he took charge on the field. He also looked physically fit as he dove feet first to attempt to kick the ball on net, but from time to time had his off moments. McBride had done his job, as the Fire led 2-0 at the half.

“He’s getting his fitness back and his sharpness back and the soccer back,” Chicago fire head coach Denis Hamlett said after the match. “We’ve got to push him along and hopefully by the next two or three games, he’ll be back to speed.” 

The firing squad did not stop in the second half, as they had several chances in the opening minutes, as Logan Pause flipped a ball over the Crew defender’s heads to a cutting Chris Rolfe. Just as Rolfe fired his shot, Crew midfielder Eric Brunner slid in the box and deflected the shot before Rolfe could get the shot on net.

Crew got a step closer when Robbie Rogers crossed the ball into the middle of the box and was able to connect with the Crew’s offensive star, Guillermo Barros Schelotto. For being a candidate for the league’s top score, the Fire should have had a closer eye on the Argentinean, but left him unmarked in the six yard box and was able to head home his 11th goal and bring the Crew close, 2-1.

“Coach didn’t have to say too much (at halftime). That’s not the way we play the first half,” Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers said after the match.

Head coach Robert Warzycha looked for a change of pace from the Crew in the 68th minute as Steven Lenhart and Eddie Gaven entered the match. The Crew played with three up front and created chances right off the bat, as Schelotto had a shot on goal that was cleared by the Fire.

As the drizzle turned into rain in Chicago, the fortunes for the Crew turned around as well. The Fire’s defender, Wilman Conde was guilty of dangerous play in the box. The defender and the Crew’s Moreno went up for a ball in the box and the ref called a somewhat harsh penalty as the players collided.  Moreno went down and the ref said to Hamlett that he was ‘nicked’ and deserved of a penalty. Schelotto put the penalty right down the middle; Bush dove to his left and missed the ball, tying a match that looked to be all Fire early.

“Disappointed.” The Fire coach said about the penalty that Columbus was awarded and eventually change the match. “Five games left in the season, everyone fighting for points and you hope the players dictate the end of the game.” 

The Fire had one more gasp in stoppage time when Patrick Nyarko had a clear shot on goal after the Crew defender fell over Patrick’s feet, but flicked it right into Will Hesmer’s hands.

The Crew are home for their next four matches, which include games with Cruz Azul and Saprissa in Champions League play, as well as David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and the LA Galaxy next Saturday evening. 

The Crew knows how important the next match will be, including their coach, “The next game against Cruz Azul is going to be difficult because they are a good team.”

International Soccer Network's Man of the Match: FWD Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew and MID Peter Lowry, Chicago Fire

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