Stojanovic scores twice in return to starting lineup, leading Fire to win over Red Bulls

Luka Stojanovic celebrates one of his first-half goals Sunday night. | Courtesy of the Fire

Making his first start since June 26, Stojanovic upped his team-leading total to five goals.

Maybe an answer to some of the Fire’s scoring woes was right in front of them.

Making his first start since June 26, midfielder Luka Stojanovic scored twice Sunday in the Fire’s 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls. Stojanovic’s goals in the second and eighth minutes helped the Fire end a five-game winless streak in front of a Soldier Field crowd of 11,894.

After joining the Fire last year from Serbia’s FK Cukaricki, Stojanovic played 61 minutes before tearing his left MCL against San Jose on July 19 in the MLS is Back tournament, keeping him out for the rest of 2020. Stojanovic then connected three times over the first six games of this season and looked to be an important part of the Fire offense, though he eventually became something of a forgotten man as coach Raphael Wicky found a midfield mix that didn’t include the 27-year-old attacker.

But with Alvaro Medran out, Stojanovic took advantage of his opportunity and upped his team-leading total to five goals. The Fire (4-9-5, 17 points) were moments away from their second straight shutout but Tom Barlow collected the rebound of a free kick and slammed it past Bobby Shuttleworth.

Medran was absent due to health and safety protocols. Per league policy, a player may be listed due to the protocols because they’re quarantining due to high-risk behavior or being a high-risk close contact, a pending or inconclusive COVID-19 test result, a confirmed case of COVID-19, or an illness not related to the coronavirus.

Attacker Ignacio Aliseda (left calf) also didn’t play. Defender Carlos Teran made his second Fire start but was stretchered off with an injury and replaced by Wyatt Omsberg in the 67th minute.

NOTE: The Fire declined to comment on reports out of Switzerland that owner Joe Mansueto is attempting to purchase Swiss club FC Lugano. Last season, Lugano finished fourth in the 10-team Swiss Super League.

from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/3jElxwW