FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (13-10-6, 49 pts.) came back to draw 2-2 versus Chicago Fire (8-10-12, 34 pts.) in a match on Saturday night.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois to a crowd of 20,129.
The XI to take the field first in the Windy City 🌬️⚽️
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 23, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation with Earl Edwards Jr. starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Omar Gonzalez, along with (right back) Andrew Farrell. The midfield spots were manned by Ian Harkes (left midfield), Mark-Anthony Kaye (right midfield), and Carles Gil (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Tomás Chancalay (left wing), Nacho Gil (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
Matt Polster returns to the XI after suspension.
THE BOYS‼️ pic.twitter.com/zqVI7nrX0U
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 24, 2023
The match began with New England starting from the center circle. Giacomo Vrioni played the ball backwards to Matt Polster, who elected to play it wide to DeJuan Jones, who then elected to build out of the back for New England.
Chicago’s first chance of the match came in the 7th minute when #21 Fabian Hebers’ cross-box pass found #30 Gastón Giménez for a left-footed strike that was initially blocked by Mark-Anthony Kaye, but then reached the foot of #23 Kei Kamara, whose shot was blocked by Omar Gonzalez and cleared out of the box.
Chicago continued their attacking with more chances as Torres’ shot in the 9th minute was met by a diving save by Earl Edwards Jr.
New England’s first chance of the match came in the 15th minute when Tomás Chancalay’s long range shot was met by a fingertip save by Chicago goalkeeper #34 Chris Brady.
In the 17th minute, New England gained the early advantage.
Chanca all the way pic.twitter.com/RrcmMx87ZW
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 24, 2023
Defender Matt Polster found Tomás Chancalay on the wing, who made a combo move to get by two players. He then found Vrioni in the box, whose shot was blocked and then bounced toward Carles Gil. The ball was initially cleared and found the foot of Tomás Chancalay in the box, who unleashed a right-footed shot that went directly past Chicago goalkeeper #34 Chris Brady. This is Chancalay’s 3rd goal of the season.
Less than 2 minutes later, Chicago leveled the match in the 19th minute.
Brian Gutiérrez with the immediate response to finish and level it 1-1. #CF97
Watch live NOW for free on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/bQWG38QGgT pic.twitter.com/LYqt5Pm2ue
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 24, 2023
Following the goal, a long ball by midfielder #26 Ousmane Doumbia found defender #24 Jonathan Dean, whose low-driven ball into the box found forward #17 Brian Gutiérrez for a shot into the bottom left corner. This is Gutiérrez’ 2nd goal of the season.
Chicago had yet another close chance in the 26th minute when #24 crossed the ball into the box to find the head of #23 Kei Kamara, whose header was met with a save by Earl Edwards Jr.
Following a bad giveaway in the 37th minute, Chicago had yet another chance from #23 Kei Kamara, but his shot went high over the bar.
After the 45 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 1-1.
Level at the half. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/lL28ijfWhh
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 24, 2023
The second half kicked off with Chicago starting from the center circle. #17 Brian Gutiérrez played the ball backwards to #26 Ousmane Doumbia, who the launched the ball forward into the New England defensive third.
New England’s first chance of the half came in the 51st minute when DeJuan Jones pass to Carles Gil was too heavy and was met by a poor clearance by Chicago, and then met from and equally poor shot by Giacomo Vrioni.
In the 54th minute, Chicago gained the 2-1 lead.
A perfect start to the second half. #CF97
Gastón Giménez finishes a nice team move to take the lead. pic.twitter.com/92gGhfaJzZ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 24, 2023
#24 drove down the right flank and found #20 in the far right attacking third. He then found #23 Kei Kamara who backheeled the ball to #17 Brian Guti, he then laid the ball off to #30 Gastón Giménez, who slotted the ball into the bottom left corner for the 2-1 advantage. This is Giménez’ 1st goal of the season.
In the 58th minute, New England leveled the match.
Capiii makes it count pic.twitter.com/7Bi8hldlGJ
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 24, 2023
Defender Dave Romney l0fted the ball over the top to find Noel Buck in space. He then chest trapped the ball down, played a ball in the box that found Vrioni, he then shielded the ball, and laid it off to Carles Gil, who took a one-time left footed shot that deflected off the leg of Chicago Fire’s #4 and into the net past goalkeeper #34 Chris Brady. This is Gil’s 9th goal of the season.
In the 63rd minute, Revolution head coach Clint Peay made his first and second substitution of the match by replacing Noel Buck and Giacomo Vrioni with Ian Harkes and Bobby Wood.
Entering the 65th minute, Chicago Fire midfielder #30 Gastón Giménez was issued a yellow card for a foul on Revolution midfielder Carles Gil.
A big chance came in the 70th minute when Carles Gil found Matt Polster who played the ball centrally toward Bobby Wood, who was brought to the ground, but was met with no call and no shot on the play.
In the 86th minute, Revolution head coach Clint Peay made his third and final substitution of the match by replacing Nacho Gil with Emmanuel Boateng.
In the 90+8th minute, Chicago Fire midfielder #26 Ousmane Doumbia was issued a yellow card for a foul on Revolution midfielder Carles Gil.
In the 90+10th minute, Revolution forward Tomás Chancalay was issued a yellow card for following through on a 50/50 ball with Chicago Fire goalkeeper #34 Chris Brady.
After the 90+11 minutes, the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
THE FINAL. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/qM1AfOGF73
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 24, 2023
With the result, New England falls to 6th place in the Eastern Conference.
With the current state of the MLS Eastern Conference, 2nd place to 6th place are all separated by 2 total points, meaning all results for the remainder of the season heavily matter in regard to home field advantage.
During the match, DC United lost 5-3 to the New York Red Bulls, meaning the New England Revolution have clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution
During the match, D.C. United were defeated 5-3 against the New York Red Bulls, meaning that the New England Revolution have clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The New England Revolution (13-9-6, 48 pts.) head out to Chicago, Illinois to face MLS Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire (8-9-11, 33 pts.) in an MLS Match on Saturday, September 23rd. The match kicks off in Soldier Field at 8:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
New England Revolution
