Chicago Fire FC (8-12-10, 34 points) tied 2-2 with the New England Revolution (13-6-10, 49 points) before 20,129 fans at Soldier Field on Saturday night.
New England scored first in the 17th minute but the lead was short-lived as Homegrown midfielder Brian Gutiérrez leveled the score just one minute later. Defender Jonathan Dean ran down a pass from Ousmane Doumbia on the right flank and sent a ball into the box. Dean’s pass was just behind the Fire attackers running into space, but Gutiérrez was able to connect with it and hit a first-time shot into the bottom left corner.
Gutiérrez followed up his goal with his team-leading ninth assist of the season in the 54th minute, holding onto a ball from striker Kei Kamara in the box while three defenders rushed in. Gutiérrez slipped the ball up to the top of the 18-yard box, where midfielder Gastón Giménez lined up and expertly placed his attempt inside the far post, just past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. The goal was Giménez’s first of 2023. Carles Gil scored in the 59th minute to tie the game at two.
The result moved the Fire into 11th place in the Eastern Conference, one spot behind the New York Red Bulls and ahead of New York City FC. With four matches remaining in the regular season, the Fire’s next League fixture against the Red Bulls will be a pivotal contest in the race to the playoffs, as both teams are two points behind D.C. United for ninth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
NEXT MATCH: The Fire will travel to face the Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 30. The match will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and will be streamed locally on wlsam.com in English, and in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
Social: Twitter - @chicagofire, @vamosfire (Hashtags: #CF97 #VamosFire) | Instagram - @chicagofire | Facebook
Notes:
- Midfielder Brian Gutiérrez scored his second goal of the season in the 18th minute, tying his previous season-high set in 2022. His first goal of 2023 was also at Soldier Field, in the 3-0 win against CF Montréal on July 12.
- After recording his team-leading assist, Gutiérrez, 20, is now one of two players aged 22 or younger with nine or more assists in the League this season, joining Atlanta United attacking midfielder Thiago Almada who leads MLS with 16 assists.
- Defender Jonathan Dean and midfielder Ousmane Doumbia each picked up their first career assist for the Fire on Gutiérrez’s goal.
- Giménez wore the captain’s armband against New England and scored his first goal of the season.
- Striker Kei Kamara led the attack, playing in his 417th MLS career match, good for fourth place on the MLS all-time appearance list. His assist on Giménez’s goal was his second of the 2023 regular season.
- Midfielder Fabian Herbers made his 99th career start in regular season play in tonight's match, placing him one shy of the century mark. Herbers, who joined the Fire from the Philadelphia Union prior to the start of the 2019 season, has made 77 starts in five seasons with Chicago. He is currently the longest tenured player on the 2023 roster.
- The Fire’s all-time regular season record against the Revolution now stands at 27-24-20, including a 17-7-12 mark at home.
- Defenders Rafael Czichos (left upper leg) and Arnaud Souquet (yellow card accumulation), defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda (right lower leg), midfielders Javier Casas (right lower leg), Chris Mueller (right upper leg), Federico Navarro (left upper leg) and Xherdan Shaqiri (red card suspension), and forward Victor Bezerra (right lower leg) were not available for tonight’s match.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 2:2 New England Revolution
Goals:
NER - Chanclay (3) (WATCH) 17’
CHI - Gutiérrez (2) (Dean, 1; Doumbia, 1) (WATCH) 18’
CHI - Giménez (1) (Gutiérrez, 9; Kamara, 2) (WATCH) 54’
NER - C. Gil (9) (Vrioni, 2) (WATCH) 60’
Discipline:
CHI - Giménez (Yellow Card) 65’
CHI - Doumbia (Yellow Card) 90+7’
NE - Chancalay (Yellow Card) 90+10’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Brady, D Dean, D Omsberg, D Terán, D M. Navarro, M Doumbia, M Giménez (capt.), M Herbers (Haile-Selassie, 67’), M Gutiérrez (Aceves, 90+4’), M Torres (Koutsias, 77’), F Kamara (Przybyłko, 78’)
Subs not used: GK Richey, D Burks
New England Revolution: GK Edwards Jr., D Jones, D Gonzalez, D Romney, D Polster, M Kaye, M N. Gil (Boateng, 86’), M C. Gil (capt.), M Buck (Harkes, 62’), F Chancalay, F Vrioni (Wood, 62’)
Subs not used: GK Jackson, D Farell, D Makoun, D Sweat, M McNamara, F Bajraktarevic
Stats Summary: CHI / NER
Shots: 16 / 13
Shots on Goal: 7 / 3
Saves: 1 / 5
Passing Accuracy: 81.5% / 85.4%
Corners: 5 / 6
Fouls: 8 / 11
Offsides: 1 / 1
Possession: 44.6% / 55.4%
Attendance: 20,129
Referee: Tim Ford
Assistant Referees: Adam Garner, Mike Nickerson
Fourth Official: Jon Freemon
VAR: Kevin Terry, Jr.
Assistant VAR: Jozef Batko
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas
On the result and health of Brian Gutiérrez...
"I think it's not a fair result because I felt we did create enough chances to put the game away. So that's for sure. I'm very happy about the effort that the guys put forth, you know? We made a lot of changes in this game; some were necessary, some were forced upon because of injuries. But I felt that the guys left everything on the field. We came out, I think the important thing is, we talked about it, it's just showing the character, good mentality and attitude and fighting all the way to the end. I think the guys did that. I think we created enough chances, we just, again, didn't put the game away. We took the lead and, you know, we gave the lead back right away. So, the effort was great. You know, it's just unfortunate we couldn't get the three points. The scores around the league have been going our way. It should have been another opportunity now with a home game probably to be in ninth place.
With Guti, I don't know, we have our fingers crossed. It's really disappointing that, with a young player like that constantly, he never gets protected by the referees. I'm honest with you, I'm going to tell you, I'm frustrated. He got pulled down again. No call, you have the linesman there. So, for me, it's just really unfortunate that talented players like that never get the protection that we never do, the calls never seen. And I know I'm not complaining but that's, I'm complaining because I just feel if you don't say anything, nothing will ever happen, you know? So, we'll see tomorrow. Fingers crossed and we'll go from there."
On the impact of Leagues Cup on the season...
"Look, we had really good games in the League Cup. I mean, even the last game we lost against América, the team was playing well and we really missed one weekend, you know, where we didn't have a game. So, I think that gave us an opportunity, like I said, to get Federico Navarro back healthy. That was important and then to really get a chance to work on some things on the field. And then it just seems, and it started with the Leagues Cup, even the two losses in the Leagues Cup with América and that just has continued. You know, we prepared really well and then, you know, it started all with the Orlando game and we haven't been able.
I felt in Montreal we did a good job to get a clean sheet. We focus really on our defensive organization. We went to Columbus, you saw the game: we started well and then we gave two PK's. You know, we never get PK calls like that. I was in LA with the Galaxy when the Guti got taken down in a box. That was pure contact. We never get those calls. So, nothing has been going our way.
I think today the attitude was great with the guys. We tried to really put everything on the field and we went down a goal, we showed a lot of character to come back, to get the second goal. It was good to see Gaston actually get closer to goal, then start taking some initiative and finishing taking shots, because he's got that ability to finish. He scored and then we gave that right back, but then we pushed the game all the way to the end. We were limited to some of the moves we could make. You saw what we had on the bench with changes. So, we tried to do our best.
I think the guys left everything on the field and so for that, I'm proud of, but we missed an opportunity again to get the win. Our fans were great today, supporting us all the way to the end. Right now, I'm proud of that but I'm also, my thought is with Guti and I pray that there's nothing serious for a young player like that because he's been going [up] and, you know, with any setbacks. Hopefully, we don't want something like that."
On the development of Jonathan Dean...
"Yeah, extremely proud of Jonathan. I mean, I knew coming in he's the kind of player, that blue collar guy, that you know what you're gonna get every time. Yeah, you saw that tonight. I mean, he's just a competitive man and he left everything on the field. He leaves everything on the field every day in training and every time he steps on the field. It's great to see a guy like that going to be rewarded, not only to start but to have a great game. I felt overall, our guys, everyone did. I think Wyatt [Omsberg] stepped in, also did a fantastic job. So, I'm happy for guys that, you know, Jonathan has been getting more playing time, so his rhythm is a little bit better, but Wyatt stepped in in difficult moments, I think he also did a great job."
On the scoring drought for Kei Kamara...
"I don't know, I wish I had the button so he can score. I don't know. I think the best medicine for any forward or player is just, it's training – that's where you get your confidence. We do a lot of stuff in front of goal with the strikers, we finish, but I don't know. I think we've given him good opportunities, he's had looks and hopefully it's the mentality that the next one is going to come. But also, we have to try to find ways where we can score because as a team, there's been a drought all around. So, it's not only just him, I just think other guys have to also contribute, too. But that's why sometimes we move players when he's been on a run, he's played a lot of games. But we've got to move things around to see if we can find someone that can put the ball in the back of the net, which is the most difficult thing to do in soccer, I guess."
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Gastón Giménez
On tonight’s result…
“Yes, well, it was a very difficult match. I think we played a good game but we couldn’t finish, and we couldn’t hang on either. But we’ll go until the end. As long as we have a chance to get in, we’ll continue to fight. So we’ll continue in the fight and hopefully we’ll get in [the postseason].”
On his goal…
“Well, it was a fast play, I received a ball that was played back and I was able to get it right at the border of the box so I opened my foot and, luckily, it went in. A bit sad due to the result, I would’ve liked to finish with the win and with the three points. I think we could’ve seriously helped ourselves in the fight towards the postseason, but it’s in the past, and we need to look ahead.”
On whether the exit from Leagues Cup affected the team…
“It’s not an excuse by any means, but I can tell you that we did have a good stretch of victories in league play and after Leagues Cup, I can’t really explain to you what happened but the streak was broken and we had to go through this moment. And well, we just have to get through it and continue working. There’s no other option than to keep fighting until the end.”
On the difficulty of the next two matches and if they plan on ending the season on a high note…
“Yes, of course, that’s the plan. While we have a chance mathematically, we’re going to fight until the end.”
Chicago Fire FC Defender Jonathan Dean
On his thoughts on the team’s general performance…
“Yeah, I thought we created a lot of chances, a good atmosphere. We're disappointed to not get all three points. I think we created several chances where we could have, and it’s unfortunate. But at the end of the day it's a good bounce back after Wednesday.”
On his assist on Brian Gutiérrez’s goal…
“I saw that space, there was opportunity. Frank was telling me to exploit it and take advantage and Gastón, I think it was, played a fantastic ball and (I was) just happy to be in the right spot at the right time.”
On how he feels being a member of the squad and playing well for the team…
“It feels good. Within the day, it's coming in and raising everybody's level, myself included. As we have a great team of players and ultimately we are fighting to the playoffs until the end, doing everything we can.”
On his journey through USL to MLS…
“I'm grateful for the journey I've had, it's been different than the most and I take pride in it. Just to keep working and do the best I can, and fortunately, tonight it came off with an assist.”
On who he thinks was most excited supporting him at home…
“Probably the nephews and mom, for sure.”
On how he felt and the frustrations of the physicality throughout the match…
“New England's a very good side. They're also physical, too. So at the end of the day, we had to come in and battle and be ready for it. And ultimately, I think we did a good enough job and like I said, we wanted to win, but it's unfortunate.”