NYCFC defeated Fire for a fifth consecutive shutout record

Heber scored from a 23rd-minute penalty as rising New York City FC recorded their best-fifth straight shutout with a 1-0 win over the visiting Chicago Fire at Citi Field on Sunday.

Former Fire goaltender Sean Johnson made a save as NYCFC (7-3-2, 23 points) eclipsed the previous franchise record for clean sheets set in July 2018.

NYCFC celebrated their third straight win and improved to 6-0-1 in the last seven games. They emerged victorious despite playing without Valentin Castellanos (seven goals ahead), who was suspended for one game on a yellow card.

Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina saved three shots for Fire (2-6-5, 11 points) who were winless in their last nine games (0-6-3). Chicago’s last win was a 3-1 decision against Sporting Kansas City on March 19.

NYCFC used a handball near the back post by Miguel Angel Navarro in the 20th minute to open the scoring. VAR confirmed the decision and Heber put the ball in the right corner of the net to open the scoring with his second goal of the season.

NYCFC nearly doubled the lead several times in the first half, notably when Slonina stretched his body to save Gabriel Pereira in the 39th minute.

Thiago Andrade’s offer sailed past the net in the waning moments of injury time in the first half.

NYCFC’s Maxi Morales unleashed a shot from the top of the box in the 64th minute, which bounced over the bar.

Chicago almost forged a tie two minutes later but Chris Mueller was caught offside before scoring an obvious goal in the box.

Johnson saved the shutout in the 90th minute after twice parrying Carlos Teran’s turnaround shot from the top of the box.