New England Revolution forward Teal Bunbury and Chicago Fire defender Jonathan Campbell contend for a 50-50 ball in the air (photo credit: Kari Heistad)
New England Revolution 2-2 Chicago Fire
FOXBORO, MA–Two teams with slim playoff hopes had their playoff hopes go slimmer as they played an entertaining, yet frustrating 2-2 draw at Gillette Stadium.
For the Fire, it’s the first time they have gone two league matches without losing since June 13-23, but once again the chance to go on a winning streak in the league eludes them.
The Fire took the lead after Aleksandar Katai stripped Brandon Bye of the ball in midfield and turned a defender before beating Brad Knighton far post in the 19th minute.
The Revolution stepped up their attack and were rewarded in the 62nd minute after Cristian Penilla’s cross deflected off Brandon Vincent and Richard Sanchez’s tip went right to Scott Caldwell who had a tap-in for the equalizer.
The Fire retook the lead five minutes later after a Raheem Edwards run forced an own goal from Michael Mancienne. However, that lead lasted just two minutes after Katai was stripped by Juan Agudelo who found Penilla who took advantage of Sanchez and his defense getting bunched up and restored parity.
The Fire will be officially eliminated from playoff contention if they fall to NYCFC on Wednesday (6pm CT, ESPN+). New England, whose own unbeaten run extends to four, but remain five points adrift of Montreal for 6th, travel to Toronto FC next Saturday.
Cristian Penilla’s equalizer kept the Revolution in the match and ultimately gave their playoff hopes a late boost in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire (photo credit: Kari Heistad)
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Aleksandar Katai (unassisted) 19
NE-Scott Caldwell (unassisted) 62
CHI-Michael Mancienne (own goal) 67
NE-Cristian Penilla (Agudelo) 70
BOOKING SUMMARY:
NE-Antonio Delamea (caution, persistent infringmenet) 31
NE-Brandon Bye (caution, dangerous play) 36
CHI-Dax McCarty (caution, reckless foul) 58
NE-Teal Bunbury (caution, tactical foul) 69
CHI-Johan Kappelhof (caution, reckless foul) 78
NE-Scott Caldewell (caution, tactical foul) 80
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (4-2-3-1): #18-Brad Knighton; #15-Brandon Bye (#22-Guillermo Hauche 46), #28-Michael Mancienne, #19-Antonio Delemea, #2-Andrew Farrell; #6-Scott Caldwell, #27-Luis Calcedo; #70-Cristian Penilla, #14-Diego Fagundez (#17-Juan Agudelo 46), #11-Kelyn Rowe; #10-Teal Bunbury
Subs not used: #30-Matt Turner, #3-Jalil Anibaba, #23-Wilfried Zahibo,#7-Brian Wright, #13-Christian Machado
CHICAGO FIRE (4-2-3-1): #45-Richard Sanchez; #3-Brandon Vincent, #31-Bastian Schweinsteiger (#16-Jonathan Campbell 90+1), #4-Johan Kappelhof, #22-Nicolas Hasler; #13-Brandt Bronico, #6-Dax McCarty; #8-Michael de Leeuw (#7-Raheem Edwards 63), #14-Djordje Mihailovic (#5-Yura Movsisyan 79), #10-Aleksandar Katai; #23-Nemanja Nikolic
Subs not used: #30-Stefan Cleveland, #25-Jorge Corrales, #18-Drew Conner, #20-Daniel Johnson
TOTAL SHOTS: NE 18-8 CHI
SHOTS ON GOAL: NE 4-5 CHI
FOULS: NE 17-16 CHI
OFFSIDES: NE 0-1 CHI
CORNER KICKS: NE 5-2 CHI
SAVES: NE 4-3 CHI
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Referee’s Assistants: Adam Wienckowski, Kevin Klinger
4th Official: Rubiel Vazquez
Video Assistant Referee: Geoff Gamble
Weather: Clear and 58º
Attendance: 24,388
Man of the Match: Cristian Penilla (NE)
