Chicago Fire defeated Cruz Azul 2-1 in the Group Stage of the League Cup on Thursday night. The visitors finished with all three points after a dramatic finish that saw Puso Dithejane score twice in stoppage time. N. Ibanez had given the away side an early lead in the second half, but it was the Argentine who completed the turnaround.
W. Ditta and Willer Ditta both picked up yellow cards in the opening exchanges, before Puso Dithejane was cautioned at the half-hour mark. The first substitution came at 44 minutes when G. Piovi was replaced on the home side. Chicago Fire made two changes at the hour mark, bringing on R. Lewandowski and P. Zinckernagel.
P. Dithejane opened the scoring in the 67th minute and N. Ibanez doubled the advantage six minutes later. Mauricio Pineda received two yellow cards in quick succession at 88 and 89 minutes, but it was too late for Cruz Azul. Dithejane then struck twice in the dying moments — first at 90 minutes, then again at 90+3 — to complete his hat-trick.
The statistics told a familiar story of missed opportunities. Both sides held 50 per cent possession, but Chicago Fire were more clinical with their chances. They created four big chances compared to one for the hosts, and their shot accuracy of 45 per cent was significantly better than Cruz Azul's 29 per cent.
Cruz Azul registered 76 attacks to Chicago Fire's 80, but the difference came in conversion. Five shots on target for each side produced three goals for the visitors and only one for the hosts. The away side also managed more successful dribbles, with six compared to four.
The result extends Chicago Fire's recent form, which has included victories over Santos Laguna and Necaxa in their last two outings. Cruz Azul, meanwhile, dropped points after consecutive wins against New York City and Philadelphia Union. The Group Stage continues with both sides still to be determined in their final positioning.