The Chicago Fire defeated Monarcas de Morelia of the Mexican First Division 3-1 on Tuesday in a preseason exhibition match in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. The Fire took the lead with a header goal from Chicagoland native Brian McBride, but Morelia evened the score early in the second half with a penalty kick goal. Fire defender Austin Washington scored the Fire's game-winning goal in the 62nd minute, while midfielder Mike Banner recorded the insurance goal just before the final whistle.
In the 28th minute, forward Patrick Nyarko suffered a foul in the attacking third and midfielder Justin Mapp took the kick, placing a ball inside the box. McBride connected with the cross, sending a header past the keeper for the first goal of the match.
Morelia leveled the score, capitalizing on a penalty kick opportunity, taken by Sergio Blancas, in the 58th minute.
The Fire once again took the lead as Chris Rolfe sent a ball to Washington who directed it into the back of the net for the game-winning goal in the 62nd minute. In the 89th minute, Banner added another goal for the Fire, placing a freekick around a wall of defenders and into the upper corner of the net.
The team will return to Chicago on Thursday before departing for their next leg of preseason training, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, March 2.
The Fire begin their 12th season of play in Major League Soccer against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, March 21 and will host the New York Red Bulls for their home opener at TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. CT. Season Ticket Packages and Ten Game Plans are available now by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE, emailing ticketsales@chicago-fire.com, or clicking on the TICKETS link on the club's official website, www.chicago-fire.com.
Fire: Nick Noble (Andrew Dykstra 45), Tim Ward, Dasan Robinson, Bakary Soumare, Gonzalo Segares (Daniel Woolard 84), Chris Rolfe (Marco Pappa 80), Logan Pause (Wilman Conde 63), Baggio Husidic (Austin Washington 45), Justin Mapp (Mike Banner 80), Patrick Nyarko (Cuauhtémoc Blanco 45), Brian McBride.
Morelia: Moisés Munoz, Enrique Perez, Mauricio Romero, Alberto Lucio, Marcos Uribino, Carlos Jiménez (Jesús Castillo 65), Ignacio Carrasco (Oscar Rojas 45), Marvin Carrera (Jorge Kalu Gastelum 45), Miguel Sabah, Ever Guzman (Sergio Blancas 45), Mario Moreno.
Scoring Summary:
CHI - Brian McBride (Justin Mapp) 34'
MOR - Sergio Blancas (PK) 58'
CHI - Austin Washington (Chris Rolfe) 62'
CHI - Mike Banner (UA) 89'
Misconduct Summary:
CHI- Bakary Soumare (caution) 81'
