BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.(Aug. 5, 2017) – The Chicago Fire defeated the New England Revolution 4-1 on Saturday at Toyota Park, setting a club record with their ninth-straight home win. Per Elias, that nine-game streak is tied for the second-longest in MLS history.
Four different players found the scoresheet for Chicago (12-5-5, 41 pts.), including Matt Polster, Juninho, Michael de Leeuw, and Luis Solignac. The four-goal output marked the first time in club history that the Fire have scored four-or-more goals in three-consecutive home games.
Highlights | #CHIvNE Matchcenter
Polster gave Chicago an initial lead just 8 minutes into the match. Joao Meira switched the field and found Polster with space on the right wing. Polster took a touch to elude pressure, took another touch past a New England defender, and then curled a shot inside the far post with the outside of his right boot. The goal was Polster’s first of the season, and third in three seasons with Chicago.
New England (7-10-5, 26 pts.) leveled in the 24th minute off of a set piece. Lee Nguyen provided the service, and Kei Kamara bounced the ensuing header off the grass and into the net from close range. The goal ended a 377-minute home shutout streak for Chicago, the third-best mark in club history.
Juninho put the Fire back on top 6 minutes before halftime with a blast from the top of the box. Patrick Doody sent a pass toward the top of the box that Bastian Schweinsteiger dummied, allowing Juninho to tee up from 25 yards out. The Brazilian midfielder kept his shot low and to the left for his first career club as a member of the Chicago Fire.
Doody picked up his second assist of the night just 4 minutes into the second half. Doody created separation from his defender with a touch to his left, then served a tasty meal to de Leeuw at the back post. The Dutch attacker met the cross in stride and sent a powerful header into the net for his second goal of the season.
Solignac came off the bench to score Chicago’s fourth goal. Doody was the creator again, cutting a pass back to Solignac in the box. The Argentine striker took three touches and then coolly slotted his shot past New England goalkeeper Cody Cropper. Doody earned his third assist on the play, becoming the first Fire Homegrown Player to have three assists in a single game and the sixth in club history.
Chicago closed the gap in the MLS Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference Standings after a tie from Toronto FC (12-3-8, 44 pts.) on Saturday; the Fire are second in both tables.
Postmatch Reactions: Veljko Paunovic | Patrick Doody | Luis Solignac
The Fire return to action against Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 12. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago Plus and Univision Chicago 1200AM).
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (12-5-5, 41 pts.) 4:1 New England Revolution (7-10-5, 26 points)
Aug. 5, 2017 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 20,214
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Matt Polster (Joao Meira) 8’
NE – Kei Kamara (Lee Nguyen) 24’
CHI – Juninho (Patrick Doody) 39’
CHI – Michael de Leeuw (Patrick Doody) 39’
CHI – Luis Solignac (Patrick Doody) 90+2’
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Benjamin Anguoa (caution) 44’
CHI – David Accam (caution) 45+1’
CHI – Michael de Leeuw (caution) 64’
CHI – Jonathan Campbell (caution) 80’
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson; Matt Polster, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Patrick Doody; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dax McCarty (Drew Conner 71’), Juninho ©; Michael de Leeuw, Nemanja Nikolic (Luis Solignac 82’), David Accam (Jonathan Campbell 65’).
Subs not used: Stefan Cleveland, Brandt Bronico, Djordje Mihailovic, Arturo Alvarez.
Shots: 7; Shots On-Goal: 5; Saves: 4; Fouls: 17; Corners: 2; Offsides: 3
New England Revolution: Cody Cropper, Andrew Farrell, Benjamin Anguoa, Antonio Mlinar Delamea, Kelyn Rowe; Scott Caldwell (Teal Bunbury 56’), Diego Fagundez, Gershon Koffie, Lee Nguyen ©; Juan Agudelo (Je-Vaughn Watson 78’), Kei Kamara.
Subs not used: Brad Knighton, Chris Tierney, London Woodberry, Daigo Kobayashi, Xavier Kouassi.
Shots: 9; Shots On-Goal: 5; Saves: 1; Fouls: 13; Corners: 3; Offsides: 1
