Despite being a man up for the majority of the game, the New York Red Bulls had trouble finding any space against the Chicago Fire. An early goal from Marco Pappa proved to be enough to keep the Red Bulls winless with a 1-0 loss on Sunday afternoon at a frigid Toyota Park.
The Red Bulls received an advantage in the 14th minute. Chicago's John Thorrington fouled New York's Macoumba Kandji a few yards outside of the box, after Kandji had raced past Fire defender Wilman Conde and looked to be heading in alone on goal. Referee Tim Weyland immediately pulled the red card, putting the Fire a man down for the remainder of the game.
In the 20th minute, Dominic Oduro replaced Kandji, who left the game with a right ankle sprain.
Before the Red Bulls could take advantage of their situation, Chicago took the lead. In the 33rd minute, a free kick was sent toward the area, but the gusty winds blew it back away from goal.
The ball was barely headed away, and Pappa rocketed a left-footed shot toward goal from outside the box. The ball bounced off the left post and into the right side netting behind New York goalkeeper Danny Cepero, barely crossing the goal line.
Weather reports said the game time temperature was 37 degrees, with a severe wind chill that dropped the temperature to 26 degrees. The breeze, which blew from sideline to sideline, made it difficult to play balls in the air.
Just before the end of the first half, Kevin Goldwaithe fouled Pappa, earning a yellow card.
Juan Pablo Angel had one of the best looks for the Red Bulls in the first half when he sent a high shot over the post. New York ended the half with five shots, but none on goal.
In the second half with the man advantage, the Red Bulls turned up the heat and finally began creating space.
In the 79th minute, New York made a push for goal. Dane Richards forwarded the ball toward goal. Angel found himself in good position and shot, but Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch made the initial save though the ball went back into play. Oduro picked up the rebound and flicked it toward goal, but Busch again made the save.
Before Chicago could clear their end of the field, Jorge Rojas attempted another shot.
Fire substitute Austin Washington fouled Sinisa Ubjparipovic in the 78th minute some 30 yards out from goal. Angel soared the freekick wide right of goal.
Just before the game ended Cepero made a big save for New York. He punched a Brian McBride attempt over the post, but the Red Bulls could not find the equalizer before the final whistle.
With the win, the Fire remain unbeaten on the season (2-0-1), while New York remains winless with a 0-2-1 record. The Red Bulls travel to Houston to take on the Dynamo next Saturday.
Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
