The Chicago Fire put in their most dominating performance of the season on Saturday night. The Men In Red defeated the slumping Orlando City FC by a resounding 4-0 scoreline. Chicago put in an astoundingly dominant performance in front of 20,000 at Toyota Pakr. It was so dominant in fact that Orlando didn’t record a single shot on target during the game. Strange to say having scored four, but the Fire could have had double their goals if they were more clinical in front of goal.
A returning David Accam was unstoppable as he recorded the first hat trick of his MLS career and assisted on another. The Ghanaian’s career night started with a bang by netting in just the third minute on a clever back heel finish. The Fire are becoming a true MLS power as they continue to improve with every game. Saturday’s win keeps Chicago undefeated at home and just one point behind the league leading Toronto FC.
David Accam Hat Trick Highlights Chicago Fire Dominance of Orlando City SC
DAVID. ACCAM. WHAT. A. GOAL. #backheel pic.twitter.com/ynY20PNEGD
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) June 25, 2017
Dominant David Accam
Fresh from being given the weekend off in New England, Fire winger David Accam was un-markable and dismantled Orlando on Saturday. The Lions could only foul the speedster in their efforts to contain him. Accam was regularly fouled and drew a penalty and at least two yellow cards from defenders trying to guard him. All in all, Accam scored in the third, eighth, and converted a penalty in the 63rd minute. In addition to the goalscoring, Accam contributed all over the field. His passing was superb at times including a perfect through ball to assist Nemanja Nikolic’s goal in minute 53. As mentioned numerous time on the television broadcast, Accam’s game has evolved and elevated to an unexpectedly high level.
Team Domination
Orlando were chasing shadows across Toyota Park on Saturday night. The Lions fell two goals down in the first eight minutes and never looked like getting back in the game. In all honesty, the Fire could have been up by four goals within the opening quarter hour. The Fire didn’t allow a single shot on target and were in complete control throughout the game. The Men In Red completed almost 200 more passes than Orlando, dominating the middle of the park as well as having their way on both wings. Orlando didn’t have any answer to the Fire’s passing and speed, but may have been hampered by having played a match midweek.
The Fire continue to improve on their previous performances with each game and are becoming quite a force. Credit to the coaching staff and the squad for continued progress. The Fire’s passing game could be the very best in the MLS and completed a whopping 90 percent of their passes against Orlando. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Dax McCarty were dominant again in the midfield and seemingly have raised the level of play and ambition of those players around them. If the trend of improvement continues as it has, the Fire could become a truly great side.
Exciting Midweek Matchup in U.S. Open Cup
The Fire now change their focus to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday. Chicago will take on new and ambitious side FC Cincinnati of the USL. The midwestern battle is perhaps the draw of the tournament as Cincinnati come off upsetting in-state rival Columbus Crew SC in the previous round. Cincinnati has been drawing huge crowds to Nippert Stadium and a near record breaking crowd is expected again on Wednesday. There is so much excitement surrounding the round of 16 game that ESPN 2 has decided to broadcast the game and with their top commentary staff. Wednesday’s game will be the first round of 16 game to be broadcast on the ESPN networks.
