BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The old adage that clean sheets win games rang true as the Chicago Fire’s first shutout of the season saw them finally register their maiden victory of 2015 at the fourth attempt.
Sunday’s hard-fought 1-0 success over the Philadelphia Union was built on the solid foundations of a defense in which captain Jeff Larentowicz and new signing Adailton were watertight in the center, while fellow new recruit Eric Gehrig and Lovel Palmer provided defensive cover and attacking outlets from the fullback positions.
“We got the clean sheet, and we have to keep this energy, this enthusiasm,” Adailton, whose 37th-minute glancing header off Harry Shipp’s delivery proved the difference between the sides, told reporters after the game.
“I’m sure that if we keep this, it doesn’t mean that we’re going to win every game, but it means that every game is going to be very hard for the opponent, and we will have many chances to get the three points.”
Larentowicz was equally satisfied with his afternoon’s work, as the team picked up its first points of the new season after showing significant improvement in the last two games without getting any reward for their efforts.
“I think for us today it was important to keep pressure on the other team. It was almost like we didn’t want the ball to get to the backline,” Larentowicz said. “There were times, especially in the first half, where we turned over the ball and were able to get at them right away. I think that’s the key. The best defense is a good offense, and if we can attack them higher up the field it will create chances.”
With another home clash against Toronto FC coming up Saturday (1 pm ET, MLS LIVE), the Fire have a huge opportunity to regain some ground on the Eastern Conference’s early-season pacesetters.
- Find more Fire news and notes at Chicago-Fire.com
“Now we have to switch our focus,” Adailton added. “I have to think about going home and rest to prepare to have a nice and tough week. It’s better to suffer during the week and be fit for the weekend than the other way. We are happy about the work we did during the week. The whole team spoke [Saturday] that we should do something different. I think we did it.”
Adailton’s goal, just the Fire’s second of the season, was extra special as he had his family watching from the Toyota Park stands for the first time.
“I’m so excited,” the 31-year-old said. “It’s so funny because my family arrived on Friday, my son, my wife and my mother-in-law, and before the game I said, ‘Today I will score for you,’ I said to my baby. And when I scored, it was such a nice moment I will never forget.”
