The Chicago Fire took advantage of an FC Cincinnati side that was without Luciano Acosta and Miles Robinson, defeating their conference rivals 1-0 at TQL Stadium on Wednesday . Brian Gutiérrez, who came off the bench for only the fourth time in 2024, scored one of the easiest goals of his professional career in the 69th minute after Hugo Cuypers made an amazing run down the left side to secure Chicago’s sixth win of the MLS season. Chris Brady collected his second consecutive clean sheet after making seven saves, six of which came after halftime.
The Fire were the better team in the first half but required some heroic defending from Gastón Giménez to keep the match level entering halftime. Yuya Kubo had the ball in Chicago’s penalty area in the 26th minute with time to line up a shot that Giménez blocked to Kipp Keller on his right. Giménez then slid over to block Keller’s effort and subsequently blocked the follow-up shot from Ian Murphy before Pavel Bucha skied the net with his follow-up.
The Fire came out, well, firing in the second half and finally started testing Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Maren Haile-Selassie created a great chance right in front of goal in the 46th minute but Allan Arigoni missed the net completely with his effort from close range. Chicago finally took the lead for good in the 69th minute thanks to an assist from Cincinnati’s Kipp Keller.
Keller hit a dreadful header back toward his own goal that Hugo Cuypers collected bef.
