Ghana attacker David Accam took a starring role in a U.S. Open Cup match for his team Chicago Fire.
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Accam had a goal and an assist in the Fire’s 3-0 win against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in an Open Cup quarterfinal at Toyota Park on Wednesday. Accam entered the match having scored all three of the Fire’s goals in cup games this season.
It didn’t take long for Accam to make his mark, earning and then converting a penalty kick not even five minutes into the match. Arturo Alvarez found him in space on the left wing and Accam was able to overcome a heavy touch in the box to get another touch before onrushing goalkeeper Diego Restrepo, who then tripped Accam.
"I had a lot of space," Accam said. "For us we tried to utilize the space they left behind and it paid off.”
After scoring the opener, Accam played provider with a highlight-reel caliber run through the Strikers’ defense. Accam won the ball at the halfway line and put the moves on Ft. Lauderdale defender Gale Agbossoumonde, making him fall over in the box.
Accam then rounded Restrepo and sent a centering ball across the face of the goal for Michael de Leeuw to tap in.