Brian Gutierrez, Chicago show firepower in topping Charlotte

Brian Gutierrez scored twice in the second half as the Chicago Fire continued to excel on the road in a 4-1 victory at Charlotte FC on Saturday night.

Chicago (5-4-4, 19 points), which won its first home game of the season last Saturday against Atlanta, earned its fourth road victory of the season (4-3-0) and snapped a five-game losing streak to Charlotte.

Jonathan Bamba opened the scoring in the 42nd minute with his second goal of the season. Bamba, the 29-year-old winger who came over from Spanish club Celta Vigo in January, hit a curling shot past the outstretched hands of Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina to give the visitors the lead heading into halftime.

Gutierrez doubled Chicago's lead in the 60th minute after knocking in a shot from just inside the 18-yard box after Charlotte failed to clear the ball after a corner. Gutierrez closed out the scoring in the match by converting a penalty in the 79th minute, his fifth goal of the season.

Charlotte FC (6-7-1, 19 points) dropped their fifth straight league game, a club record. After beginning the season with five consecutive home wins, Charlotte FC has dropped their last two.

Charlotte striker Patrick Agyemang, who caused multiple issues for Chicago's backline in the first half, provided a brief moment of hope for the hosts when his right-footed blast beat Fire goalie Chris Brady in the 70th minute to cut the deficit to 3-1. It was Agyemang's third goal of the season.

Hugo Cuypers, who leads Chicago with eight goals this season, failed to score despite taking a game-high seven shots. Chicago outshot Charlotte 25-12, putting 10 on target.

The Fire have allowed two goals over their last three MLS games after a 7-2 loss at Nashville on April 26.

Phillip Zinckernagel scored his fourth goal of the season in the 64th minute for Chicago. Charlotte, which had allowed three goals at home all season, conceded four goals at home for the first time in club history.