Fire Win Final Regular Season Home Match, RSL Still Looking at Playoffs. 

Chicago, IL-Chicago Fire FC has had much success on its home field all season long and they finished its final home match on a positive note with a 1-0 victory over visiting Real Salt Lake Saturday night at Soldier Field.

The Fire kept its late season knack for winning in front of its biggest crowd 31,308, while Robert Beric scored the game-wining goal and keeper Gabriel Slonina recorded a clean sheet with five saves all in the second half.

Chicago improved its overall record to 9-16-7, 34 points, and 3-1-2 over its last 6 matches, while Real Salt Lake (12-12-6, 42 points) are trying to solidify a spot in the Western Conference playoff picture.

“That was a special night, and I think one that left a really good image for the fans,” Chicago Fire interim coach Frank Klopas said.  “Unfortunately, we’re not a team that’s going to be going to the playoffs, but I think finishing the way we did tonight, it’s not just about winning the game. I just felt like the way the guys competed, the mentality. Great personality, great fight, great grit. And then we played some very good football, what they put into the field, I think that that was something that the fans would respect and appreciate and something that we expect here in Chicago.”

Appreciation, along with the efforts from the players were pretty good and the direction of the club is what’s on everybody’s mind going into next season.

“You know guys that are with integrity, hard working guys, and I think they put that jersey on,” Klopas said. “I think they left everything on the field and that’s what I’m most proud of, and it was great to give the fans something really to to be excited about for the future of the club, because the future is bright. Unfortunately we didn’t hit our goals this year, but a lot to build on and if we continue with this same mentality and spirit, I think next year will be a team that will be talking about the postseason and being in a place to play.”

Beric scored for the fifth time in five games and his 8th goal of the season in the 45th minute. It was set up on a combination play with Maurico Pineda to Miguel Angel Navarro that found Beric moving in the box. He was able to get control, turn and kick a shot inside the post.

Slonina and the rest of the defense did a good job of keeping Real Salt Lake from tying the game in the second half, which he was able to make a few critical saves keeping the ball in front of him

“Oh yeah, I think I think first and foremost, it was a great team performance,” Slonina said. “I think we used that energy from Cincinnati to push us in this game. It’s the end of the season, but I think we’re still finishing strong and fighting every single game. It’s awesome to play with a team that fights every single minute of the game and I think it’s more about a team performance that really pushed us and helped every individual be better.”

Real Salt Lake will be on the road at FC Dallas Wednesday night at 6 p.m. MT, while Chicago will play New York City FC at Yankee Stadium with a 6:30 p.m. CT kick-off.