David Accam’s Hat-trick, Assist Lead Chicago Fire Shutout of Orlando City

(Photo by Mark Thor / Orlando City SC)

Match Recap

Looking to reclaim some lost points from the Chicago Fire’s first matchup with Orlando City SC, the Fire assured three points quickly in the two teams’ rematch on Saturday. Chicago (10-3-4, 34 points) blanked the Lions (7-6-5, 26 points) 4-0 at Toyota Park in what was City’s second of three road games in their most recent road trip.

Fire forward David Accam set the tone in the opening eight minutes of the match, scoring two of his three goals. The first scoring effort in the third minute was set up by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who delivered a through-ball to an open, cutting Matt Polster down the right flank from the top-right corner of Orlando City’s box. One touch later, Polster sent the ball to the top of the six-yard box where Accam then used his right foot for a back-heel score.

Accam scored his second goal in the eighth minute when Schweinsteiger sent a deep ball into a darting Accam. Lions goalkeeper Joe Bendik came off his line and forced Accam to the left post. After patiently waiting for center-back Jonathan Spector to fly by on the deflection attempt, Accam took a right-footed strike for a 2-0 Chicago lead.

The second half was much of the same story for both teams. No more than seven minutes into the second half did Accam help increase the Fire’s lead. In the 52nd minute, Accam attacked down the midfield, took a touch to his right around Antonio Nocerino and snuck a through-ball to Major League Soccer leading goal-scorer Nemanja Nikolić who struck it past Bendik for a 3-0 lead.

Right-back Scott Sutter committed a foul inside his own penalty box on Accam, leading to Accam’s hat-trick and Chicago’s 4-0 lead. Nikolić sped down the right flank as Accam sprinted into the middle of the box, as the two took on four Orlando City defenders. Sutter’s right forearm shiver took down Accam, and, in the 63rd minute, Accam took a right-footed shot to his left for his first MLS hat-trick.

Overall, Chicago handled Orlando City, out-possessing the Lions (59.7 percent to 40.3 percent) and out-shooting them 17-3 (7-0 on goal).

Man of the Match: David Accam

Accam was heavily instrumental in Chicago’s win, scoring three goals, tallying an assist and taking five shots (four on goal). Additionally, the 26-year-old also drew four fouls in his 80 minutes of play.

What’s next?

The Lions will next travel to play Real Salt Lake on Friday at 9:30 p.m. to conclude their three-game road trip.

Highlights

DAVID. ACCAM. WHAT. A. GOAL. #backheel pic.twitter.com/ynY20PNEGD

— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) June 25, 2017

The run. The pass. The touch. The composure. @iamdavidaccam doubles the lead for the @ChicagoFire. #CHIvORL https://t.co/XnS1gEUlbU

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 25, 2017

Bye 👋 👋https://t.co/QjalC2WigF@iamdavidaccam #cf97 #CHIvORL pic.twitter.com/qIX1Y7iJIn

— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) June 25, 2017

Another one. #CHIvORL #cf97 pic.twitter.com/QpYHrJftdo

— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) June 25, 2017

NDR Notes

• Accam recorded his first MLS hat-trick.
• The last time Orlando City was shut out in a loss was on May 27 when Minnesota United FC beat City 1-0.
• This is Orlando City’s second 4-0 result on the losing end. The Houston Dynamo beat the Lions 4-0 on May 6.

Scoring

Statistics and Starting Lineups

Houston Dynamo starting XI (4-2-3-1): Matt Lampson (GK); Brandon Vincent, João Meira, Johan Kappelhof, Matt Polster; Dax McCarty, Bastian Schweinsteiger; David Accam, Michael de Leeuw (C), Luis Solignac; Nemanja Nikolić

Orlando City SC starting XI (4-4-2): Joe Bendik (GK); Victor “PC” Giro, Jonathan Spector, Tommy Redding, Scott Sutter; Luis Gil, Antonio Nocerino, Cristian Higuita, Will Johnson; Ricardo Kaká (C), Carlos Rivas

For more on Orlando City as they try to claw their way through this road trip, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.