CHICAGO (AP) — Kacper Przyby?ko scored in the 90th minute to lift the Chicago Fire to a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday night.
Przyby?ko used an assist from Miguel Navarro to score his fourth goal of the Major League Soccer season.
Chris Brady saved one shot to help the Fire (8-7-8) hold Toronto without a goal in three straight matches for the first time in club history. Chicago has two wins and a tie in the last three meetings after going 0-11-3 in the previous 14.
Sean Johnson made four saves in his first start for Toronto (3-11-10) since June 10. Johnson left the club to play for the United States in Nations League and Gold Cup competitions.
The Fire have won three in a row and five of their last six after winning just three times in the first 17 matches. Chicago has won three straight matches just one other time since the start of the 2018 season.
Toronto has lost six in a row and has been outscored 12-1. The club had used a league-high 34 players this season entering the match.
“Football can be a cruel game at times,” said disappointed interim coach Terry Dunfield after the late loss. “It was a tough one for sure but I’m really proud of the work our team put into the 90 minutes ? We felt like we were in control against a good Chicago team that’s in form.”
Toronto forward C.J. Sapong was also disappointed with the familiar outcome.
“Yeah, I mean, kind of the same tale, I think, of many games for us this season, the effort is definitely there. There are moments in the game where we have control and when it comes down to it, maybe it’s just that final, final action,” said Sapong.
“Chicago adjusts their formation, overload, and more guys on the attack for them and it’s for us another tough one where the wheels fall off for a second and now we have another result that for me, I don’t think is very indicative of the effort that was put in.”
NEXT UP
When the league returns to action on Aug. 20, Toronto will host CF Montreal. Chicago will host Orlando City.
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