Chicago Fire 2-2 New England Revolution
CHICAGO, IL–The story for the Chicago Fire for the last few seasons has been its inability to close out matches. On a night where they needed three points, they once again get just one. However, the night still ended with what potentially could be a big loss. Before the second largest crowd of the season at Soldier Field (20,129), the Fire could only manage a 2-2 draw that keeps them outside the playoff places. New England clinched a playoff spot by virtue of the draw and results elsewhere–though the draw dropped them to sixth place.
Because of injuries, suspensions, and Chicago Fire II playing its regular season finale in Huntsville; the Fire dressed just six subs on the bench. Yet, the players on the pitch looked determined to get three points.
New England opened the scoring in the 17th minute after the Fire blocked two shots, the ball came to Tomas Chancalay whose shot would go into the net to put the visitors ahead. That lead would last just over a minute though as Jonathan Dean would find Brian Gutierrez on a cross and Gutierrez would equalize ending a 511-minute goalless drought for the Fire.
The Fire would take the lead in the 54th minute when Gutierrez sent a ball out to Gaston Gimenez who beat Earl Edwards Jr. far post. The Fire’s lead, would last just five minutes as Carles Gil’s shot from outside the box deflected off Miguel Navarro and past Chris Brady to level the scoring.
It was two points lost, but a bigger loss might have happened during the 89th minute as Brian Gutierrez hyperextended himself after battling with Mark Anthony Kay. Gutierrez appeared to have injured his knee and went straight to the locker room after getting back on his feet. VAR reviewed whether or not a penalty took place during the play, but determined no penalty took place.
Because of this and other things, Fire head coach Frank Klopas was left to bemoan the result as well as how his team and Gutierrez in particular has not gotten the calls this season.
“I think it’s not a fair result because I felt we did create enough chances to put the game away,” said Klopas. “So that’s for sure. I’m very happy about the effort that the guys put forth, you know? We made a lot of changes in this game; some were necessary, some were forced upon because of injuries. But I felt that the guys left everything on the field. We came out, I think the important thing is, we talked about it, it’s just showing the character, good mentality and attitude and fighting all the way to the end. I think the guys did that. I think we created enough chances, we just, again, didn’t put the game away. We took the lead and, you know, we gave the lead back right away. So, the effort was great. You know, it’s just unfortunate we couldn’t get the three points. The scores around the league have been going our way. It should have been another opportunity now with a home game probably to be in ninth place.
“With Guti, I don’t know, we have our fingers crossed. It’s really disappointing that, with a young player like that constantly, he never gets protected by the referees. I’m honest with you, I’m going to tell you, I’m frustrated. He got pulled down again. No call, you have the linesman there. So, for me, it’s just really unfortunate that talented players like that never get the protection that we never do, the calls never seen. And I know I’m not complaining but that’s, I’m complaining because I just feel if you don’t say anything, nothing will ever happen, you know? So, we’ll see tomorrow. Fingers crossed and we’ll go from there.”
Klopas would also mention the two penalties given to Columbus in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss and a non-penalty decision at LA Galaxy an an example as ‘never getting those calls.’
The Fire are still two points out of a playoff spot with four matches to go (though that could go to three points should NYCFC win on Sunday). While the playoffs fever still within reach for the Fire, the wins have not come.
The Fire will now look to regroup next Saturday at New York Red Bulls. Kickoff is at 6:30pm CT on Apple TV.
SCORING SUMMARY:
NE-Tomas Chancalay (unassisted) 17
CHI-Brian Gutierrez (Dean) 18
CHI-Gaston Gimenez (Gutierrez) 54
NE-Carles Gil (unassisted) 59
BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Gaston Gimenez (caution, tactical foul) 65
CHI-Ousmane Doumbia (caution, tactical foul) 90+8
NE-Tomas Chancalay (caution, endangering the goalkeeper) 90+10
CHICAGO FIRE (4-2-3-1): #34-Chris Brady; #6-Miguel Navarro, #16-Wyatt Omsberg, #4-Carlos Teran, #24-Jonathan Dean; #26-Ousmane Doumbia, #30-Gaston Gimenez; #20-Jairo Torres (#19-Giorgios Koutsias 77), #17-Brian Gutierrez (#3-Alonso Aceves 90+4), #21-Fabian Herbers (#7-Maren Haile-Selassie 67; #23-Kei Kamara (#11-Kacper Przybylko 77)
Subs not used: #18-Spencer Richey, #27-Kendall Burks
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (4-2-3-1): #36-Earl Edwards Jr.; #24-Dejuan Jones, #2-Dave Romney, #3-Omar Gonzalez, #8-Matt Polster; #28-Mark Anthony Kaye, #29-Noel Buck (#14-Ian Harkes 62); #5-Tomas Chancalay, #10-Carles Gil, #23-Nacho Gil (#18-Emmanuel Boateng 86); #9-Giacomo Vrioni (#17-Bobby Wood 62)
Subs not used: #98-Jacob Jackson, #26-Tommy McNamara, #44-Ben Sweat, #47-Esmir Bajraktarevic, #88-Andrew Farrell, #6-Christian Makoun
EXPECTED GOALS: CHI 1.62-0.66 NE
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 16-13 NE
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 7-3 NE
FOULS: CHI 8-11 NE
OFFSIDES: CHI 1-1 NE
CORNER KICKS: CHI 5-6 NE
SAVES: CHI 1-5 NE
Referee: Timothy Ford
Assistant Referees: Adam Garner, Michael Nickerson
4th Official: Jon Freemon
VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.
AVAR: Jozef Batko
Attendance: 20,129
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 70º
Man of the Match: Brian Gutierrez (CHI)
