NYCFC dent Fire's playoff hopes with 3-1 victory

Alonso Martinez scored off a deflected ball after a corner kick in the 57th minute to help lift New York City FC to a 3-1 win over the host Chicago Fire on Saturday.

The loss was a severe blow to Chicago's chances to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Fire (12-11-6, 42 points) currently hold the ninth and final spot in the Eastern Conference postseason race.

NYCFC (14-9-5, 47 points) which has only one loss in its last seven matches (5-1-1), is in seventh place in the East.

New York City's Seymour Reid added an insurance goal three minutes into extra time when he drove home a pass from Agustin Ojeda.

The Fire opened the scoring when Philip Zinckernagel hit a right-footed shot from the center of the box in the 13th minute.

Brian Gutierrez started the scoring opportunity when he stepped into the passing lane and midfield and stole a pass for a break.

He dished off to Zinckernagel on the right side with a through ball to complete the fastbreak.

NYC answered in the 40th minute when Nicolas Fernandez scored on a six-foot, right-footed shot from the right side through the center of the goal. It was the first MLS goal for Fernandez.

New York missed a golden opportunity to score in the 35th minute when Fire goalie Chris Brady (two saves) made an amazing stop.

Martinez left-footed a shot from the center of the box and Brady was able to get his left hand up and push the ball over the net.

Andrew Gutman also just missed a goal for the Fire in the 42nd minute when he left-footed a shot from the left side of the box but missed the right side of goal by about a foot.

Martinez also just missed a head shot from six yards out in the 44th minute when the ball went wide left.

Fire goalkeeper Matt Freese notched a pair of saves.