Fire get important win against Revolution

Photo: Leslie Smith

Chicago Fire 3-2 New England Revolution

BRIDGEVIEW, IL-Every match and every point are very important for Chicago Fire FC, but getting three points adds to the playoff push for the club. The Fire scored two quick goals from Jonathan Bamba and Philip Zinckernagel in the opening ten minutes and added a third from Hugo Cuypers in the second half. However, they needed to hang on with a bit of a rally by the New England Revolution.

Chicago Fire FC prevailed with a 3-2 victory over the visiting New England Revolution at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday night in Bridgeview, The Fire improved its standing in the Eastern Conference (12-10-6, 42 points) moving above the playoff line while the Revolution (8-14-7, 31 points) took the loss.

“It’s a set up going forward,” said Chicago Fire Head coach Gregg Berhalter, which the club has six matches remaining in the regular season. “If you lose or tie, you in a little bit of trouble. We know that it’s going to be a dogfight. It gives us some breathing room (couple of days) and to get back to work. So, we can figure out how to beat New York City. It’s the same mindset over the last six to seven weeks of the season.”

Chicago had the benefit of having an unscheduled weekend off recently since Miami changed their match up until the end of September. That’s because Miami was playing a part of the Leagues Cup at the time.

“I thought we had a real commitment of the players these last two weeks in training,” Berhalter said. “We picked 11 players to start the game, and we could’ve had at least 16 or 17 to start. Everyone was good in training. It was a really good competitive sessions and that’s what we’re stressing from the group. If we want to do something as a team, we need guys pushing and training knowing that things will be difficult.”

Starting out quickly Saturday night, it was an early opportunity for a Fire goal which was take in a big way. Brian Gutierrez served a ball near the top of the box. Jonathan Bamba took control of the ball, beat Revolution keeper Matt Turner and scored into an open net in the second minute.

Philip Zinckernagel made it 2-0 Fire with a rocket 20-yard shot into the corner off an assist from Andre Franco in the eighth minute of play–Franco’s first assist as a member of the Fire.

Then, Chicago added a third goal for insurance in the 68th minute. Hugo Cuypers made the run and scored off a pass from Andre Franco near the goal for his 16th goal of the season.

New England managed to get a goal back in the 78th minute when Payton Miller scored off an assist from Tomas Chancalay to trail 3-1. The Revolution tried to rally late with another goal as the Fire had a foul in the box. Carles Gil notched the goal on the penalty kick that made the score 3-2.

New England nearly came back tying the match. Chancalay kicked a close range shot which Fire keeper Chris Brady (three saves) made a push away save in the final minute and preserved the victory.

Chicago returns back into action hosting New York City next Saturday 7:30 p.m. CT, while New England returns to host Toronto also at 7:30 ET.

SCORING SUMMARY
CHI-Jonathan Bamba (Brandon Guitierrez) 2′
CHI-Philip Zinckernagel (Andre Franco)10′
CHI-Hugo Cuypers (Andre Franco) 68′
NE-Payton Miller (Tomas Chancalay) 78′
NE- Carles Gul (PK) 94′

BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Brady (yellow, delay of game) 71′
NE-Celballos (yellow, unsporting behavior) 81′
CHI-Gonzalez (yellow, usporting behavior) 93

CHICAGO FIRE: #1-Brady, #15-Gutman, #5 Rogers (#34-Gonzalez 90), #3-Elliott, #24-Dean, #42-DAvilla, #17-Gutierrez (#23-Acosta 84), #10-Franco (#35-Oregel 76), #19-Bamba (#7Halle-Selassie 76), #9-Cuypers (#12-Barlow 84), #11-Zinckerrnagel.

Subs not used: #22-Pineda, #34-Gonzalez, #25-Gal, #36-Reynolds, #38-Cupps.

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: #30-Turner, #12-Feingold (#16-Omsberg 69), #3-Celballos, #4-Beason (#23-Sands 86), #25-Miller, #41-Lanconi, #80-Yusuf, #14-Yuell (#38-Oyirwoth 69), #10-Gul, #7-Chancalay, #17-Ganago.

Subs not used: #88-Farrell, #15-Bye, #24-Bono, #32-Fry, #38-Oyirwoth, #39-George.

TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 14-16 NE
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 7-8 NE
FOULS: CHI 8-9 NE
OFFSIDES: CHI 3-2
CORNER KICKS: CHI 8-6 NE
SAVES: CHI 3-2 NE

Referee: Guido Gonzalez Jr.
Assistant Referees: Mathew Nelson and Jeffery Swartzel
Fourth Official: Ricardo Montero Araya
VAR: Michael Radchuck
Assistant VAR: Mark Allatin
Weather: Mostly cloudy and 65.
Attendance: 16,947