It's Raining Goals: Chicago Fire 3, CF Montréal 0

A wise man once said that your eyes deceive you and they aren’t to be trusted, but the Chicago Fire really did just win a soccer game 3-0.

Stormlike conditions leading up to the game were no limiting factor for the Fire, who recorded their biggest win of the season, smashing CF Montréal by that exact scoreline. The win propels Chicago above the playoff line heading into the final match of their three-game homestand.

The night’s festivities wouldn’t start until one hour after the originally scheduled time as tornado sirens ravaged the Chicago area. Still, when the players finally walked out onto the damp Soldier Field grass, there was one unexpected change. Most of the lineup remained unchanged from last week’s win over Nashville, with Chris Brady in goal and Miguel Ángel Navarro, Rafa Czichos, and Mauricio Pineda remaining in the back line. Arnaud Souquet replaced Jonathan Dean upon return from suspension, and Fabian Herbers once again partnered Gastón Giménez in the middle. The front four was unchanged, with Brian Gutiérrez, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Maren Haile-Selassie behind Georgios Koutsias, who earned his second successive start as the #9. Giménez was a late addition to the lineup, replacing Carlos Terán moments before kickoff, with Pineda moving to center back.

Riding a wave of confidence after winning three of their last four, the Fire jumped to a flying start. Just nine minutes in, excellent work in transition from Koutsias and perseverance through a crowded penalty box allowed the 19-year-old to set up a simple assist for 20-year-old Gutiérrez. The Chicago native blasted the ball into the back of the net, scoring his first goal of the season and his first at Soldier Field. Guti’s goal adds to his tally of nine assists this season and represents progress on an area of his game that’s been missing: lethality in front of goal.

Just three minutes later, things got even better for the home team. The Fire’s two Swiss stars combined, with Shaqiri laying the ball off to Haile-Selassie inside the box, who duly converted and notched his fifth goal of the season. Koutsias was once again involved, as he recorded a secondary assist.

The third goal, which followed later in the half, was the best of the lot. The Swiss connection was again on display as Shaqiri and Haile-Selassie played a nice one-two off of a free kick, giving the DP #10 time and space to rip a curling shot from well outside the penalty pox. The wonder goal flew past a helpless Jonathan Sirois, who was forced to pick the ball out of his net for the third time in less than 25 minutes. It was undoubtedly Shaqiri’s best goal in a Fire shirt since his big-money move and was a prime example of exactly what he was brought in to do.

Montréal had an opportunity to come back into the game when Czichos gave away a penalty kick shortly before the half, but seemingly nothing could go wrong for the Men in Red. Ari Lassiter missed the shot as Brady watched the ball cannon off the post and out.

The second half was much less eventful, but the hosts persisted in defending the lead. Montréal weren’t short of opportunities, and the Fire’s backline and midfield were equal to them. Brady made numerous good saves, and Pineda held firm at the back, once again showing that his best position is in defense.

A cool moment game towards the end, when homegrown Missael Rodríguez came off the bench and made his MLS debut. It was a long-awaited reward for the 20-year-old, who has been working hard to deserve the opportunity to step on the field for the first team this season.

Ultimately, things went just as well as could have been imagined for the Chicago Fire. Pretty much everything went their way, and despite less-than-ideal weather on the lakefront, it’s hard not to smile at the result. The Fire had a complete, perfectly-executed performance and now sit in a playoff position, having won four of their last five.

They’ll have the opportunity to add yet another three points this weekend as they close out this crucial three-match homestand against Toronto FC on Saturday.