BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The goal-starved Chicago Fire and their win-starved fans got a much-needed lift from new Dutch forward Michael de Leeuw in his home debut.
The 29-year-old de Leeuw, acquired on May 17 from FC Groningen in the Netherlands' top flight, delivered his first MLS goal on Wednesday night, and it stood as the match-winner in Chicago's 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City.
“That’s what we were looking for,” Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic told reporters. “A guy who can score goals, a guy like Michael who will have a work rate for the team and a commitment with our style and with our identity.