02/28/26 03:52:00
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02/28 15:50 CST Bamba, Cuypers and Lod score as Fire beat Montral 3-0
Bamba, Cuypers and Lod score as Fire beat Montral 3-0
CHICAGO (AP) --- Jonathan Bamba scored in the first half, and the Chicago Fire
scored twice in stoppage time to secure a 3-0 win over CF Montral in their
home opener on Saturday.
Chicago (1-1) controlled the match throughout, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime
after Bamba finished from the center of the box in the 27th minute. The Fire
generated steady pressure and limited Montral's chances despite playing the
final 34 minutes a man down following a red card to Jonathan Dean in the 56th
minute.
The Fire secured the match in stoppage time as Hugo Cuypers converted a penalty
in the 90th minute to make it 2-0, and Robin Lod added a third moments later
with a finish from close range.
Chicago dominated the attacking numbers, finishing with an 18-4 advantage in
shots and an 11-2 edge in on-target shots while producing 4.0 expected goals.
Montral (0-2) managed just 0.1 expected goals and rarely threatened.
Goalkeeper Chris Brady made two saves for the shutout, while Thomas Gillier
kept the visitors within reach for much of the afternoon with seven saves.
The win extended Chicago's unbeaten streak against Canadian opponents to six
matches dating to 2024 and marked the Fire's first victory of the season after
opening with a road loss at Houston.
Up next
Montral: faces New York on March 8th.
Chicago: against Columbus on Saturday.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
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