BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (March 11, 2017) – The Chicago Fire won their 2017 home opener with a 2-0 result against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at Toyota Park.
Offseason Designated Player signing Nemanja Nikolic scored his first goal for the club, and it stood as the game-winner. Arturo Alvarez tacked on the second goal, and goalkeeper Jorge Bava earned his first MLS shutout.
Nikolic gave the Fire an early 1-0 lead with a one-on-one finish in the 11th minute. Michael de Leeuw carried the ball forward near midfield, and Real Salt Lake midfielder Sunny stepped in to make a tackle, but hit the ball past his back line and into the path of Nikolic.