JULY 2018 WEEK

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1 FIRE FALL TO TORONTO MAGAZINE JULY 2018 WEEK 30

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3 Chicago Fire Fall 2-1 at Home to Toronto FC The Chicago Fire fell 2-1 to defending MLS Cup champion Toronto FC Saturday at Toyota Park. Sebastian Giovinco opened scoring for Toronto in the 47th minute with a right-footed shot from inside the box. The Fire equalized in the 62nd minute after a set-piece goal. Aleksandar Katai's free kick found Raheem Edwards on the far post. Making his first appearance for the Men In Red, Edwards headed it down for Nemanja Nikolić for his team-leading 10th league goal of the season. The visitors regained the lead in the 65th minute courtesy of forward Jonathan Osorio. The two sides face off again next week at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday, July 28 at 6 p.m. CT (ESPN+/Univision Radio WRTO AM 1200). Coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. CT with a live pregame show on ESPN+ presented by CIBC. Veljko Paunović - Head Coach, Chicago Fire On the match: "I think in the first half we had good order. I think we were disciplined and played a very good game, a very competitive game against a good opponent, and I think that's the positive side of this game. Also the comeback, or the attempt of the comeback, by scoring one goal was brief but it gave hope. The team was looking again, recovering the order and especially the attacking mindset. But again, we conceded too easily. I think defensively we are what we are and we are not good defensively. We were trying to work and improve, but this has to be solved. This has to be solved. We have to do something about it. But don't worry, we'll get back in the next game. We have to go there and we learn from this game. We have to go to Toronto and I guess now we have to fight back, now we have to take three points out there. It's not going to be easy but this is my message. We were also close. If we fix the defense by then, just a little bit, we can have chances. If not we're going to just concede like always, then the guys will fight back and score the goal, but this is just too much. We have to do a better job." On the injury to Jorge Corrales: "Well [his lip] was bad, so we couldn't wait for his wound to be healed or actually intervene. So we had to make the substitution but he's much better. We believe he's going to be ready for the next game. Obviously I'm waiting for the medical report but just by seeing him and talking to him, he looked fine. He just needs to heal now. On Dax McCarty's injury: "Dax missed the game because of the injury in the last game in the Open Cup against Louisville, where he hurt his hamstring. The time for the full recovery is two to four weeks so we'll see, as soon as possible he can be ready." On the frustration of losing a fourth straight game [Translated from Spanish]: "It's tough to lose again but it's a part of soccer and we have to pick ourselves up as soon as possible. There are positive things despite the result not going in our favor. There are positive things like the first half. Practically the whole team showed order, discipline and a good execution of the plan. In the second half we lost that order after we conceded the goal, again innocently, along with a lack of rigour and urgency in our defense. But that's been our season so far and we have to find a solution. In the transfer market we have to find a solution. This is what it is." On Raheem Edwards' Fire debut [Translated from Spanish]: "I think Raheem is going to bring a ton of energy, pace and determination. He played a great game in his debut. He had an assist and showed a lot of character, soccer acumen and desire. I think this shows us that there's a future here but also a present, and as we said, we're trying to improve the team through the market. He's one of our reinforcements that's come along with Hasler and Del Grecco at the moment. We hope that there will be more additions, if we're fortunate, because the team needs to improve." On the current conflict between the front office and a group of supporters [Translated from Spanish]: "First of all, what I'd like to say is we're all here to help and support our team. I'm not going to go into detail but what I do think is important is unity between the whole club and of course, we have that here. But also from the outside. To all the fans that support us, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. I love the people that are behind my back in the stands that are always supporting, standing and even give tactical advice that are spot on and that's very good. But we need everyone to be united and be with us. We're all here with the same objective which 3

4 4 Fire Continued... is to see our team win, improve and always give it their all. I think that's the most important thing." Raheem Edwards - Midfielder, Chicago Fire On starting in his first match with the team: "It's tough, there's good competition here but I got into the starting lineup. It wasn't good enough today, obviously we didn't get the three points. It was a very critical game, both teams pushing for the final playoff spot so we have next week to try and get them back." On directions from head coach Veljko Paunović: "He wanted me to provoke the back line and try to get into spaces behind, try to drive forward and make them make decisions. That's what I try to do on the left side and on the right side when I played there a little bit. That was the game plan." On being happy for his performance: "Not really. I'm more of a team player. I could have a bad game and we win and I'll be the happiest guy alive. It is what it is, obviously a loss is disappointing but thankfully, we play next week against them, so we look forward to that." On partnering with Aleksandar Katai on the wings: "At times when he wants to play on the left and I want to play on the right, so we just kind of change because we both can play either side of the wing. It's just us getting the feel of where we wanted to be and play at the time." On adjustments before a rematch with Toronto FC: "We were a little bit unlucky with the second goal, with the bounce and stuff like that. I think we want to play good football and we're playing good football. It's just about us maintaining that quality over 90 minutes and continue to play good football and defend and stuff like that. I think it's just us maintaining our level." Chicago Fire 1:2 Toronto FC July 21, Toyota Park Attendance: 15,177 Scoring Summary: TOR - Sebastian Giovinco (Michael Bradley) 47' CHI - Nemanja Nikolić (Raheem Edwards, Aleksandar Katai) 62' TOR - Jonathan Osorio (unassisted) 65' Misconduct Summary: TOR - Chris Mavinga (caution) 41' CHI - Jorge Corrales (caution) 45+1' TOR - Justin Morrow (caution) 62' Chicago Fire: Richard Sánchez; Kevin Ellis (Mo Adams 73'), Johan Kappelhof, Jonathan Campbell, Jorge Corrales (Brandon Vincent 45+2'); Bastian Schweinsteiger (C), Brandt Bronico; Raheem Edwards, Diego Campos (Luis Solignac 52'), Aleksandar Katai; Nemanja Nikolić Subs not used: Stefan Cleveland; Rafael Ramos, Tony Tchani; Alan Gordan Shots: 11; Shots On-Goal: 2; Fouls: 5; Saves: 4; Offsides: 3; Corners: 6 Toronto FC: Alex Bono, Eriq Zavaleta, Ashtone Morgan, Gregory van der Wiel, Justin Morrow, Marco Delgado, Jonathan Osorio, Michael Bradley (C), Chris Mavinga (Nick Hagglund 66'), Jozy Altidore (Victor Vazquez 80'), Sebastian Giovinco Subs not used: Clint Irwin, Jay Chapman, Ryan Telfer, Jason Hernandez, Ayo Akinola Shots: 10; Shots On-Goal: 6; Fouls: 9; Saves: 1; Offsides: 0; Corners: 7 CREDIT: CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB

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6 Red Stars Sam Kerr Wins First ESPY Award The Australian star took home Best International Women s Soccer Player Australian international and Chicago Red Stars forward Samantha Kerr added another accolade to her collection, taking home the ESPY award for Best International Women s Soccer Player. The striker became the first player in National Women s Soccer League to notch 50 career goals, the first to score three hat tricks, and the first NWSL hat trick by a Red Stars player. In her first season with Chicago, Kerr is tied for first in goals with nine, despite missing the first six games of the season due to international duty. Kerr and the Westfield Matilda s will be playing in the Tournament of Nations against the United States, Brazil and Japan, with one game at the Red Stars home field of Toyota Park on Aug. 2. Kerr and her international teammates will return to the Chicago Red Stars following the conclusion of the tournament to take on the North Carolina Courage on Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. CREDIT: CHICAGO RED STARS

7 7 CHICAGO RED STARS: Finishing Out the Season Heading into the final quarter of the season, the Red Stars are looking to continue its road to the National Women s Soccer League (NWSL) Playoffs, but Chicago still has six games to finish out the regular season. Here s a look into what remains in store for the Red Stars: One Team Clinched Of the nine teams in the NWSL, just one team has clinched a spot in the Playoffs with six games remaining. At no surprise, North Carolina Courage has been dominating the league, falling just once in a late-game goal, while going for a total of 45 points. Tight Race and Tough Finish Going into the final quarter, only nine points separates second place and seventh place in the standings. Essentially, the final three Playoff spots are still up for grabs between six teams. Seattle Reign FC sits in second place with 29 points, followed closely by Orlando Pride and Chicago Red Stars with 28 points each. Portland Thorns FC just edges out of the post-season play with 26 points, while Utah Royals FC and Houston Dash aren t out of the Semifinal picture, as they hold onto 21 and 20 points, respectively. This will be one of the toughest finishes for the Red Stars as they look to take on North Carolina, Seattle, Portland, Orlando and Utah in the final five games of the regular season; the final four on the road. Minus North Carolina who have already clinched, all teams are still in the hunt for the final three Playoff spots. Opposites at Home The final two home games at Toyota Park will be two completely different teams for the Red Stars. On July 28, Chicago will host the last place team, Sky Blue FC, who has yet to earn a victory this season, totaling three points off draws and having a -19-goal difference. Sky Blue still has ground to make up, playing only 15 games this season so far, three less games than Chicago. After the FIFA break, the Red Stars will host first-place North Carolina for the final home game of the season. North Carolina leads the league with 45 points, adding a 27-goal differential. Powerful June and July The Red Stars went the past seven matches, stretching between June and July. Despite the only loss coming in a 4-1 defeat against North Carolina, Chicago sealed several key three-point games coming into the final quarter. During the time span, Sam Kerr has become the first NWSL player to tally 50 goals in her career. The biggest three points came in Chicago s last match against Seattle, where Kerr s late goal made the difference. Dynamic Duo Up Front Chicago has showcased some great duos up front, but none as spectacular as Sam Kerr and Yuki Nagasato. The Japanese international currently leads the league with five assists, all of which lead to Kerr goals. Nagasato has also added four goals herself this season, one coming from a Kerr assist. With Nagasato s distribution and Kerr ability to finish, these are two players to watch together coming into the final matches of the regular season. After a Bye Week, the Red Stars return to action Saturday, July 28, when they host Sky Blue FC. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast live on the NWSL app and go90 app. CREDIT: CHICAGO RED STARS

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