BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — The Fire's Leagues Cup magic ran out on Tuesday night at SeatGeek Stadium.
Despite an intense, back-and-forth battle in the game that was hyped up as "Robert Lewandowski vs. Hugo Cuypers," it was the side of the Fire's former talisman who came out on top.
From a rotational standpoint, Gregg Berhalter’s lineup was named just as planned. He had rested several potential starters in Saturday’s 1-1 draw in New Jersey, opening the door for Lewandowski to return to the XI. On the other side, Cuypers got the nod as expected.
The first big chance fell to Anton Salétros of the Fire. Puso Dithejane cut through the Rayados defense like a hot knife, but was aggressively tackled; Sergio Oregel picked up possession and played it to Salétros, one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Swede seemed destined to score, but Esteban Andrada made himself an early hero, tipping the ball inches wide.
Cuypers had his first moment in the 24th minute. A quick Rayados attack found the Belgian’s feet in the penalty box, but Jonathan Dean arrived at the last moment to thwart what would have been a disastrous start for the Fire. In the 26th minute, Jesús “Tecatito” Corona arrived in the box for an opportunity that a version of him five years ago would score in his sleep, but he instead sent it wide of the mark.
However, that was only the start of the action; the spiciest Cuypers moment was still to come. A Tecatito ball over the top seemed destined for a classic Cuypers inside-the-box finish, but Chris Brady came roaring off his line. The goalkeeper’s outstretched arm met the head of the center forward, who dramatically fell to the ground, clutching a different part of his face from where the contact was made. Referee Rubiel Vázquez awarded a penalty kick for the incident, but after a VAR review for a possible sending-off, determined that it was only worthy of a yellow.
Cuypers did not step up to take the penalty on the same goal where he, just a few months ago, had twice scored in the Fire’s famous MLS Wild Card victory over Orlando. Instead, Argentine international Lucas Ocampos came up to the plate. In a moment that was a complete shock to everyone in the stadium, he sent the ball ratting off the post, keeping the game level at zero apiece.
The Fire hoped the missed penalty and survived red card scare would boost the team and shift momentum back in their favor. The Cuypers-Brady incident certainly re-energized the home fans, but the players did not reflect that swing. Rayados remained the more adventurous team, and ultimately, with the final kick of the half, a Victor Guzmán header opened the scoring.
Despite the huge blow before the break, the Fire weren't out of it yet, and weathered the storm for the first few minutes of the second half. Berhalter made his first two substitutions in the 57th minute, bringing on Robin Lod and Mauricio Pineda for Sergio Oregel and Djé D'Avilla, who had both performed well to that point.
The changes paid off immediately. Pineda instantly brought something different in the holding midfield position, while Lod was quickly involved in the attack. He set up Andrew Gutman, who burst into the penalty box, and teed up Philip Zinckernagel to blast in a 59th minute equalizer.
As the game wore down, though, it was clear it was going to be one of moments. While the Fire have their stars, Rayados do as well, and one of them delivered. Mexico international Orbelín Pineda, who had largely been anonymous throughout the game, popped the ball up to himself and blasted a dipping shot that Brady had no chance of saving.
That goal would prove decisive. The Fire's Leagues Cup came to an end, despite much promise. Their focus will now turn to MLS play, which is now the only title they have to play for.
Starting XI (4-3-3) — Brady (5); Gutman (7.5), Elliott (5.5), Waterman (6), Dean (6); Salétros, D’Avilla (7.5), Oregel (8); Dithejane (7), Lewandowski (7), Zinckernagel (7.5)
Substitutes — Pineda (7), Lod (7), Haile-Selassie (6.5), Bamba (NR)
