Chicago Fire FC Falls 3-2 to New England Revolution at Soldier Field

CHICAGO (Sept. 22, 2021) - Chicago Fire FC (6-15-5, 23 points) fell 3-2 to the New England Revolution (18-4-5, 59 points) at Soldier Field on Wednesday night. Defender Carlos Terán and midfielder Gastón Giménez each tallied a goal for the Fire.

Following New England defender Henry Kessler’s finish in the 11th minute, the Fire responded with more shots (10-2), shots on target (4-1) and possession (62.3%-37.7%) through the opening 45 minutes. With five minutes remaining in the first half, Chicago found the equalizer when Terán produced a thumping header from Giménez’s corner kick.

In the 62nd minute, New England regained the lead when a long ball over the top allowed forward Teal Bunbury to bag his third goal of the season. Chicago immediately responded with a goal of its own less than one minute later when forward Chinonso Offor laid the ball off to Giménez, who confidently slotted the equalizer into the bottom corner.

With momentum swinging in the Fire’s favor, the home side created back-to-back chances to take the lead late in the second half, courtesy of forward Ignacio Aliseda. In the 78th minute, a goal-line clearance from Kessler prevented Aliseda from scoring his fourth of the season, while New England goalkeeper Matt Turner was called upon to make a strong save on the Argentine’s powerful volley just one minute later.

As the Fire pushed for the game-winning goal, New England managed to find the winner against the run of play when midfielder Carles Gil scored his third of the season in the first minute of second half stoppage time.

NEXT GAME: Chicago Fire FC will continue the Club’s three-game homestand on Sunday, Sept. 26. The Fire will face Nashville SC at 12:00 p.m. CT at Soldier Field. The match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and TUDN 1200 AM.

NOTES:

• Terán notched his first career goal for the Fire with his header in the 40th minute.
• Giménez tallied his second goal and first assist of the season. He was named Heineken Man of the Match for his performance.
• Chicago produced 26 shots in tonight’s match, which is the second most in a single game for the Club this season.
• The Fire have lost just two of their last nine home matches dating back to June 26 (4-2-3).

Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 2:3 New England Revolution

Goals:
NE - Kessler (1) (Bell 2, Traustason 7) 11’
CHI - Terán (1) (Giménez 1) 40’
NE - Bunbury (3) (Bou 5) 62’
CHI - Giménez (2) (Offor 2, Berić 2) 63’
NE - Gil (3) (Buchanan 5) 90+1’

Discipline:
CHI - Terán (Yellow Card) 17’
NE - Caldwell (Yellow Card) 32’
CHI - Medrán (Yellow Card) 34’
NE - Gil (Yellow Card) 90+1’

Chicago Fire FC: GK G. Slonina, D Terán, D Kappelhof (Aliseda 60’), D Bornstein ©, M Sekulić, M F. Navarro, M M. Navarro, M Giménez, M Medrán (Stojanović 76’), F Berić, F Offor (Herbers 77’)

Subs not used: GK Shuttleworth, D Omsberg, D Espinoza, D Pineda, M Ivanov, F Collier

New England Revolution: GK Turner, D Kessler, D Delagarza Jr. (Bye 69’), D Bell, D Mafla (Jones 84’), M Traustason (Buchanan 61’), M Caicedo, M Kaptoum, M Caldwell (Gil 46’), F Kizza (Bou 46’), F Bunbury ©

Subs not used: D Farrell, GK Knighton, D Polster, F Buksa

Stats Summary: CHI / NE
Shots: 26 / 18 
Shots on Goal: 10 / 7
Passing Accuracy: 80.9% / 72.4%
Saves: 4 / 7
Corners: 9 / 8 
Fouls: 15 / 16
Offsides: 3 / 1
Possession: 59.6% / 40.4%

Attendance: 7,052

Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Assistant Referees: Peter Manikowski, Claudiu Badea
Fourth Official: Jair Marrufo
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic, Craig Lowry