Foxborough, Mass. (Oct. 16, 2021) - Chicago Fire FC (7-16-7, 28 points) went toe-to-toe with the top team in the league on Saturday night, battling the New England Revolution (20-4-6, 66 points) to a 2-2 draw at Gillette Stadium.
After a scoreless first half, in which the Fire outshot the Revs (10-6), the second half got off to a very quick start as both teams found the back of the net within the opening four minutes. New England struck first against the run of play when midfielder Wilfrid Kaptoum’s shot from distance beat the outstretched arms of Fire homegrown Gabriel Slonina in the 47th minute. The finish was Kaptoum’s first career MLS goal in his debut season.
Chicago responded just two minutes later when midfielder Álvaro Medrán slotted away a well-placed cross from defender Jhon Espinoza. It marked the second goal of the season for the Spaniard, who created multiple scoring opportunities prior to eventually producing the equalizer.
With 14 minutes remaining, the Fire conceded a second goal when forward Gustavo Bou scored his 14th of the season. Running onto a ball over the top from midfielder Carles Gil, the Argentine striker lobbed his attempt into the back of the net.
Despite conceding late in the half, Chicago would once again level the score when forward Ignacio Aliseda scored in the 88th minute. With the Fire attacking on the break, midfielder Brian Gutiérrez played a well-timed pass to Aliseda, who blasted his effort past goalkeeper Matt Turner and into the back of the net.
NEXT GAME: The Fire will play a third straight match on the road on Wednesday, Oct. 20, against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT, the match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and TUDN 1200 AM.
NOTES:
- The Fire started seven players aged 23 or younger in tonight’s match.
- Medrán scored his fourth career goal for the Fire.
- Aliseda scored his fourth goal of the season.
- Slonina made a career-high six saves in his seventh career appearance (seven starts).
- Espinoza tallied his first career MLS assist.
- Gutiérrez tallied his first career MLS assist in his first appearance since Aug. 28. The Chicago native had missed the previous seven Fire matches due to an ankle injury.
- Despite earning a point, the Fire were officially eliminated from 2021 playoff contention.
- Tonight’s match marked the second of three straight games on the road for the Fire. Following the upcoming Oct. 20 road match against FC Cincinnati, Chicago will return to Soldier Field for its final home game of the 2021 regular season, facing Real Salt Lake at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Box Score:
New England Revolution 2:2 Chicago Fire FC
Goals:
NE - Kaptoum (1) 47’
CHI - Medrán (2) (Espinoza 1) 49’
NE - Bou (14) (Gil 17) 76’
CHI - Aliseda (4) (Gutiérrez 1) 88’
Discipline:
CHI - F. Navarro (Yellow Card) 60’
NE - Buchanan (Yellow Card) 90+3’
Chicago Fire FC: GK G. Slonina, D M. Navarro, D Kappelhof, D Bornstein ©, D Espinoza (Omsberg, 77’), M F. Navarro (Collier, 81’), M Pineda, M Medrán, F Ivanov (Gutiérrez, 69’), F Berić (Offor, 69’), F Aliseda
Subs not used: GK Shuttleworth, M Casas Jr., M Stojanović, M Monis
New England Revolution: GK Turner, D Jones, D Farrell, D Kessler, D Bye, M Polster, M Kaptoum (Boateng, 68’), M McNamara (Buchanan 58’), M Gil, F Bunbury (Buksa 58’), F Bou
Subs not used: GK Knighton, D Bell, D DeLaGarza, D Mafla, M Traustason, M Caicedo
Stats Summary: NE / CHI
Shots: 17 / 16
Shots on Goal: 8 / 5
Passing Accuracy: 83.7% / 78.2%
Saves: 3 / 6
Corners: 10 / 6
Fouls: 11 / 10
Offsides: 4 / 0
Possession: 59.0% / 41.0%
Referee: Joe Dickerson
Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson, Gianni Facchini
Fourth Official: Robert Sibiga
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero, Tom Supple
