Chicago Fire advances in U.S. Open Cup
Tuesday's Chicago Fire game at Toyota Park was special not only for what the club got, but for what it got back.
Mike Magee made his first start of the season, Patrick Nyarko made his first appearance, and they combined on the final goal in the Fire's 3-1 U.S. Open Cup victory over the Charlotte Independence.
"Surprisingly, me and Mike had talked about it," Nyarko said of combining on a goal in his debut. "I think the celebration was going to be he was just going to tackle me and I was just going to run up the tunnel. It didn't come to that, but we talked about me coming in and setting him up, for sure."
The Fire advanced to the Open Cup quarterfinals and will host Orlando City in late July.
"Mike gave everything he had," Fire coach Frank Yallop said of the forward from Long Grove, who underwent knee and hip surgery last fall followed by a lengthy rehab.
"I think he's still a little bit in catch-up, but I think you saw after he scored the second goal he ran over to our fitness coach, Adrian Lamb, and gave him a hug because they worked very hard to get him back to this point."
Magee's first goal, in the 37th minute tied the game, but right back Lovel Palmer broke the tie in the 50th minute with a 30-yard blast. Palmer assisted Magee's first goal.
Nyarko, making his first appearance of the season following ACL surgery last fall, helped Magee with his second goal in the 82nd minute.
It was the first touch of the game for Nyarko, who entered in the 77th minute. Magee played the full 90.
"It feels good," Nyarko said. "It's been a long road. All the rehab, all the tough days waking up and trying to get back. … I still have a little bit to go to get into top shape, but it's a good start."
The Fire hopes the players' return is in time to resuscitate the team's season.
The Fire resumes MLS play at Houston on Friday night, needing to fight its way back into the playoff hunt. It is in last place in the Eastern Conference and has lost its last four league games.
"I'm hoping this is the turning point and we can come out with a good result on Friday," Yallop said.
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