May 30, 2009 PDL Chicago Fire Premier vs Toronto Lynx (from chicagofirepremier.com)
CFP’s PDL squad remains in first place with a key 2-0 win over visiting Toronto
The Chicago Fire Premier’s PDL team remained squarely in first place in the Great Lakes Division with a rough and tumble 2-0 victory over the Toronto entry in the Great Lakes Division.
Chicago’s record for the young 2009 season is now at 4-0-1, 13 points while Toronto begins the season with a record of 0-1-0, 0 points. Chicago remains solidly in first place in the Great Lakes Division and will meet the second place Kalamazoo team in its next match (at home) on Weds. June 3rd at 6:00 pm.
Chicago took the lead at 1-0 in the 43rd minute when forward Andy Adlard (Indiana University) converted a penalty kick after a handball was leveled against the Toronto defense. Chicago went into the intermission with the slimmest of margins against a very solid and physical opponent.
Chicago was unable to convert on a good number of scoring chance in the first half and early in the second half before adding the deciding goal in the 73rd minute by Andre Akpan (Harvard University) with an assist from Mark Blades (Northwestern University).
Chicago’s goalkeeper Jim Mauer added his third consecutive shutout and his fourth clean-sheet in five matches with five saves during the rough and tumble match.
Chicago will miss their stalwart defender Barry Rice (University of Kentucky) who was red-carded for fighting in the 87th minute after he suffered a viscous tackle by Toronto’s Sergio Da Luca who was also red-carded for the play. In addition Chicago’s Freddie Braun was red-carded for fighting on the same exchange that nearly turned into a melee, but cooler heads prevailed. Both of Chicago’s red-carded players will be suspended for this coming Wednesday’s match with Kalamazoo at Toyota Park (at 6:00 pm).
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