MLS: Top 5 performances from Week 24

By Matt Coles | Aug 19, 2019

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 24: Valentin Castellanos #11 of New York City FC celebrates his goal with teamamte Maximiliano Moralez #10 in the first half against the Chicago Fire at Yankee Stadium on April 24, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 08: Chicago Fire forward Nemanja Nikolic (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in action during a game between the Chicago fire and the New England Revolution on May 8, 2019 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Nemanja Nikolic

On Saturday evening, the Eastern-topping Philadelphia Union came to Chicago looking for another win to keep their run going. However, the Fire shut out their visitors, and thanks to two first-half goals from Nemanja Nikolic, the hosts were able to cruise to an easy 2-0 victory.

The 2017 MLS Golden Boot winner scored twice in the first half for the Fire, who comfortably ran out victors come the end of 90 minutes, despite going down to ten men for all of the second period.

The Hungarian scored the opening goal after 38 minutes when he tapped home at the far post from a deflected cross from Przemyslaw Frankowski. He then doubled his, and Chicago’s, tally with a spot-kick. The Fire were awarded the penalty after Aurelien Collin brought down former Union forward C.J. Sapong in the area. With Nikolic now into double figures for goals on the year, could the Fire push themselves into the playoffs with this well-timed run? It is not completely inconceivable.

Home/MLS News