CHICAGO(Sept. 6, 2020) - Chicago Fire FC (2-6-2, 8 points) fell 2-1 to the New England Revolution (3-2-5, 14 points) at Soldier Field on Sunday night.
New England took an early lead in the third minute after a poor clearance from the Fire backline fell to designated player Gustavo Bou. The Argentine popped it up to forward Adam Buksa, who headed it to a running Tommy McNamara, who dribbled into the 18-yard box and played a great ball across the box to forward Teal Bunbury. The American cooly slotted it past Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth to give the visitors the lead.
The Fire would equalize in the 22nd minute when a corner kick from Álvaro Medrán was cleared by New England to the feet of Miguel Navarro. The defender hit a first-time shot that ended up in front of Fabian Herbers. Herbers settled the ball and calmly slotted it near post to pull the teams even.
The Fire had two great chances off set pieces early in the second half, but neither defender Boris Sekulic nor defender Francisco Calvo could steer their headers on target.
Despite Chicago dominating in shots (17-9) and possession (62%-38%), it would be the Revolution who managed to score the game-winner in the 54th minute off an intended cross from Bunbury that would find the back of the net.
The Fire nearly equalized in the 64th minute when Medrán found himself lined up 30-yards out on a free kick attempt, but Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner got a hand on it to secure the win for New England. Turner made six saves in the match. The Revs bagged their first away win against Chicago Fire FC since 2013.
Next on the schedule: Chicago Fire FC will play the final match in the first phase of the continuation of play, hosting Columbus Crew SC at Soldier Field on Saturday, Sept. 12. The match will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be nationally televised live on Univision and TUDN and transmitted locally in Spanish on 105.1 WOJO-HD2. The match will also be streamed in English on the @TUDNUSA Twitter handle.
Social: Twitter - @chicagofire, @vamosfire | Instagram - @chicagofire | Facebook
Notes:
- Chicago outshot New England 17-9 and won the possession battle 62-38 percent.
- The Revs won their first away contest against Chicago Fire FC since 2013.
- Midfielder Fabian Herbers notched his second goal of the season and the ninth of his professional career. Herbers has now scored in both of the Fire’s home games at Soldier Field with his first goal of 2020 coming on Aug. 25 against FC Cincinnati in a 3-0 victory.
- Defender Miguel Navarro tallied his first assist in MLS.
- Forward Elliot Collier made his first start in 2020. Tonight’s game marked Collier’s first MLS start since July 14, 2018.
- Goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth started in net for the Fire against his former team, earning his 189th MLS regular-season appearance. Shuttleworth was part of the New England organization from 2009-2016. Heading into tonight’s match, Shuttleworth had earned back-to-back shutouts vs. FC Cincinnati.
- Revolution midfielder Matt Polster made his return to Chicago after playing for the Fire from 2015-18. Polster appeared in 82 matches (73 starts) for the Fire before signing with Scottish Premiership team Rangers Football Club.
- Gaston Giménez was named the Fire’s Heineken Man of the Match.
- Chicago Fire FC has teamed up with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Ronald McDonald House Charities during the month of September to bring awareness to Kick Childhood Cancer. Captain Francisco Calvo wore a yellow captain’s armband that represents Kick Childhood Cancer, and player jerseys featured a yellow ribbon patch.
- In previous matches, Calvo wore a captain’s armband that represents the Black Lives Matter movement. The armband was designed by Chicago-based artist and former Northwestern student-athlete Dwight White. For more information on the design, click here. Calvo has worn the captain’s armband in all ten games this season.
Goals:
- NE - Teal Bunbury 3rd minute
- CHI - Fabian Herbers 22nd minute
- NE - Teal Bunbury 54th minute
Key attacking plays:
- CHI - Elliot Collier 12th minute: Miguel Navarro crossed in a perfect ball to the head of Elliot Collier, who forced New England goalkeeper Matt Turner to make a point blank save.
- CHI - Przemysław Frankowski 33rd minute: Fire designated player Gastón Giménez sent a long ball from midfield over the top to a streaking Frankowski who got off a shot off - and avoided a near collision - that was saved by an oncoming Turner.
- CHI - Álvaro Medrán 64th minute: A set piece from nearly 30-yards out was struck with pace by Álvaro Medrán that forced an outstretched and diving Turner to tip it wide.
Key defensive plays:
- CHI - Bobby Shuttleworth 92nd minute: Cristian Penilla found Alexander Büttner making a darting run in the box. Büttner took a left footed shot that resulted in a big kick save from Bobby Shuttleworth.
Box score:
Chicago Fire FC 1:2 New England Revolution
Scoring Summary:
- NE - Bunbury (3) (McNamara 1, Buksa 1) 3’
- CHI - Herbers (2) (Navarro 1) 22’
- NE - Bunbury (4) (Büttner 2) 54’
Misconduct Summary:
- NE - Fagundez (Caution) 35’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić, D Pineda, D Calvo ©, D Navarro, M Frankowski (D Bornstein, 89’), M Giménez, M Medrán (M Gutiérrez, 89’), F Aliseda, F Herbers (F Berić, 59’), F Collier (M Mihailović, 69’)
Subs not used: GK Sparrow, D Omsberg, D Bronico, D Reynolds II, M Azira
Shots: 17 Shots on goal: 6 Fouls: 8 Offsides: 2 Corners: 5 Possession: 62.2%
New England Revolution: GK Turner, D Farrell, D Bye, D Delamea (D Kessler, 46’), D Büttner, M Bou ©, M Polster (M Rowe, 78’), M Fagundez (M Caldwell, 70’), M McNamara (M Penilla, 57’), F Buksa (F Buchanan, 77’), F Bunbury
Subs not used: GK Knighton, D Mancienne, D Jones, F Manneh
Shots: 9 Shots on goal: 3 Fouls: 10 Offsides: 4 Corners: 3 Possession: 37.8%
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Peter Balciunas, Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein
Fourth Official: Ismir Pekmic
VAR: Hilario Grajeda
