Fire Eliminated from Playoff Contention with TFC Draw

BRIDGEVIEW, IL–Plenty of memories were around SeatGeek Stadium, formerly known as Toyota Park, before this past year. The Chicago Fire made their way into the stadium over a decade ago and had accomplishments from the MLS playoffs, the US Open Cup, and other competitions on its field.

There were thousands of fans that were in the park and sellouts, with numbers of its supporters along for the ride even from the beginning, going back to the famed year of 1998.

On Sunday afternoon, Chicago was trying to have another memory before going back to Soldier Field for the start of the 2020 season. The Fire needed a victory along with some help in trying to get into the playoffs. But the Chicago settled for a 2-2 draw against visiting Toronto FC while New England shutout New York City FC 2-0. Thus, the Revolution has secured the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and the Fire (9-12-12, 39 points) was eliminated from the playoffs for the eighth time in ten seasons.

“I’m disappointed, it was one more game that we gave it our best,” Chicago Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic said. “But it was something that was always been there this season. I think we could’ve won our last game at home in front of our fans was memorable day for everyone. Our guys were fighting like flies this game and every game. We just have to give them a big hug and thank them The whole season was hard for us and that’s hard for us.”

Paunovic has been with the club for the last four years and had his own memory that stood out for than others.

“I have to reflect to the people of Bridgeview for their exposure for the team and doing their best,” Paunovic said. “I think going back to the game we played against Seattle in 2017 was a big game. It was an amazing win and I thought the crowd and atmosphere merged together with a very good season.”

As for the match, it was a pretty even on both sides for nearly an hour until playoff-bound Toronto FC (12-10-11, 47 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute. Jozy Altidore broke free beating a Fire defender and slotted a ball past keeper Kenneth Kronholm that after taking a pass from Marco Delgado.

Aleksandar Katai came off the bench and evened the match in the 68th minute at 1-1. He took a pass demo Przemyslaw Frankowski, made a move with the ball, and fired a shot with his left foot inside the far post.

Toronto FC lost its goalkeeper Quentin Westberg after a collision with the Fire’s Nicolas Gaitan while jumping up for a ball. He left the field in the 75th with an injury as the team doctor thought it was best for him to be replaced by Alex Bono.

The Fire took over the lead two minutes later off a corner kick. Gaitan served a ball for the middle of the box, which Fabian Herbers ran onto it and head flicked it into the goal.

“I saw the ball and made a quick run into the box,” Herbers said. “It went right off my head perfectly into the net. It was a slight touch off my head. It happens a lot of times, sometimes the ball doesn’t come. But this time it was a perfect ball.”

Just three minutes later, Toronto FC scored a goal of its own on a corner kick. Alejandro Pozuello hit a ball in front of the goal right for Omar Gonzalez. He was able to headed into the back of the net for the 2-2 tie.

For Toronto FC, it really wasn’t the result they wanted since they are trying to get into a better spot for the upcoming playoffs.

“We’re a team that does a great job of stopping the other team,” Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney. “So, it was a lot of end to end. Which both teams had a lot of chances. Anything can happen and when you get around playoff time. Some teams get a little desperate and really get passionate for the win. Especially, towards the end of the game, it gets really open.”

Still, what was trying to be done wasn’t completely in the liking on the attack for Toronto FC.

“I thought, for us, in our perspective, we rushed our attacks a little bit. When we got in the attacking half of the field. We saw some spaces and opportunities to really go and we went. For too many of them, we didn’t much out of it. We had our chances and could’ve had three points. (Chicago) has good players that are very capable. When the game gets open, it’s anybody’s game.”

Toronto FC has one last regular season match next Sunday afternoon hosting Columbus Crew SC while Chicago will be on the road playing Orlando City SC.