Chicago Fire FC II ran out emphatic 5-1 winners over Carolina Core FC in MLS Next Pro, taking control with three first-half goals. The visitors led 3-0 inside 34 minutes and never looked back, outshooting their hosts 14-10 and holding 55% possession.
Oscar Pineda opened the scoring in the 18th minute, set up by Dean Boltz. Damian Nigg doubled the lead on 29 minutes, and Vitaliy Hlyut made it 3-0 five minutes later, assisted by Robert Turdean. Richard Fleming added a fourth just after the hour mark, then Arnaud Tattevin pulled one back for Carolina in the 80th minute before a late goal in the 90th minute sealed the 5-1 scoreline.
Chicago's 1.26 expected goals reflected their dominance, with seven shots on target to Carolina's three. The result was built on an early flurry and clinical finishing, though both sides finished with a yellow card each in a match that saw six bookings in total.
