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Soccer

Chicago Fire miss the MLS playoffs for the 6th consecutive season after a 1-0 loss to NYCFC

By Associated Press Staff
Associated Press
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Chicago Fire forward Georgios Koutsias makes a pass against Inter Miami on Oct. 4, 2023, at Soldier Field.

Chicago Fire forward Georgios Koutsias makes a pass against Inter Miami on Oct. 4, 2023, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

NEW YORK — Julián Fernández scored in the second half to lead New York City FC to a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire in a regular-season finale Saturday that saw both teams eliminated from postseason play.

The Fire missed the Major League Soccer playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. They last qualified in 2017 and they last won a playoff round in 2009. Since then they’ve missed the postseason in 12 of 14 seasons.

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Fernández’s second goal of the season for NYCFC (9-11-14) came in the 64th minute with an assist from Santiago Rodríguez.

Matt Freese totaled four saves for NYCFC. Chris Brady saved three shots for the Fire (10-14-10).

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NYCFC has now won eight straight at home against the Fire, improving to 8-0-2 all time. NYCFC failed to win 10 matches in a season for the first time since joining the league nine years ago.

Neither team had a player score double-digit goals. NYCFC had never had its leader score fewer than 13 goals through its first seven full seasons. The Fire have not had a player score at least 10 goals in three straight seasons.

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