New-look Fire fall to New York City FC in opener

SHARE New-look Fire fall to New York City FC in opener
screen_shot_2016_03_06_at_11_36_57_pm.png

Jason Hernandez of New York City FC pulls on the jersey of the Fire’s Gilberto on Sunday at Toyota Park. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Mix Diskerud scored the eventual game winner in the 63rd minute, and New York City FC beat the Fire 4-3 on Sunday at Toyota Park in a wild affair in the Major League Soccer season opener for both teams

NYCFC’s Thomas McNamara scored the first goal in spectacular fashion in the 10th minute, taking a feed from Khiry Shelton at the top of the penalty area and curling it into the upper corner. Nine minutes later, Fire midfielder Razvan Cocis evened it on a brilliant run. Tony Taylor and Shelton added goals to give NYCFC a 3-1 advantage at the break.

After intermission, the Fire’s Kennedy Igboananike scored off a turnover and pass from David Accam in the 49th minute. But Diskerud restored the two-goal lead in the 63rd, beating Matt Lampson near-post.

Accam wrapped up the scoring on a penalty kick after a hand ball on Shelton.

Nine players made their Fire debuts, the most in a single game since the team’s expansion season in 1998.

“This is just the beginning of our philosophy — even though we lost, we wanted to do more,’’ Accam said. ‘‘These young players will learn and will hopefully improve for the next games.’’

The Latest
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.