FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (2-1-7, 7 pts.) were victorious 1-0 over Chicago Fire FC (2-4-5, 10 pts.). in a match on Saturday.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois to a crowd of 18,379.
Tonight’s squadron. 💪
Watch FREE on @AppleTV #MLSSeasonPass | https://t.co/XHF9nMfvxS pic.twitter.com/Rrs81y3E7d
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 4, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Aljaž Ivačič starting in net with a backline of (left back) Nick Lima, (center backs) Xavier Arreaga, and Henry Kessler, along with (right back) Ryan Spaulding. The midfield spots were manned by Matt Polster (left defensive midfield) and Mark-Anthony Kaye (right defensive midfield), with Carles Gil appeared ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Tomás Chancalay (left wing), Esmir Bajraktarević (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
This is Aljaž Ivačič’s New England Revolution debut.
The Starting XI of the night!
Watch FREE on @AppleTV | https://t.co/XHF9nMfvxS#CHIvNE 0-0 | #MLSSeasonPass pic.twitter.com/JpLAsxP5gX
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 5, 2024
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Giacomo Vrioni played the ball backward to Matt Polster, who then elected to start the match by building out of the back.
The first 20 minutes of the match came with back-and-forth play with no major chances for either side.
Chicago’s first major chance came in the 20th minute when #15 Gomez’ effort went over the bar.
Entering the 22nd minute, Revolution defender Henry Kessler was issued a yellow card for fouling forward #9 Hugo Cuypers.
New England’s first chance came in the 26th minute from a Tomás Chancalay header from a Nick Lima delivery, though the ball went wide.
Just 4 minutes later, Tomás Chancalay had yet another chance, though he could not trap the ball down for the shot.
Less than 1 minute later, Chicago had a chance of their own when #17 Brian Gutierrez volley effort went high and wide.
After the 45+4 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 0-0.
Tied at the half!#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/Phbg4o4lOu
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 5, 2024
The second half began with Chicago Fire starting from the center circle. They elected to launch the ball into the New England defensive third to begin the second half.
Less than 1 minute into the second half, Esmir Bajraktarević drove into the area and had a chance that was blocked.
In the 46th minute, Xavier Arreaga had not one, but two different header attempts that were met with saves or went just wide past goalkeeper #34 Chris Brady.
Entering the 50th minute, Revolution defender Nick Lima was issued a yellow card for fouling defender #15 Andrew Gutman.
New England had yet another chance in the 51st minute when Bajraktarević’s left-footed effort was met with a save off the post by goalkeeper #34 Chris Brady.
In the 53rd minute, Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas made his first change of the match by replacing defender #5 Rafael Czichos with defender #4 Carlos Terán.
As the match entered the 62nd minute, New England gained the 1-0 advantage.
ON REPLAY ⏮️⏮️⏮️ pic.twitter.com/j1ULaHXziw
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 5, 2024
After Giacomo Vrioni headed the ball out of the air from a goal kick, the ball struck #15 Andrew Gutman and was collected by Tomás Chancalay. He then drove centrally and unleashed a left-footed rocket into the top left corner that left goalkeeper #34 Chris Brady standing completely still for his second MLS goal this season.
In the 65th minute, Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas made his second and third changes of the match by replacing midfielder #18 Chris Mueller and forward #19 Georgios Koutsias and replaced them with midfielder #10 Xherdan Shaqiri and forward #12 Tom Barlow.
Entering the 72nd minute, Revolution midfielder Tomás Chancalay was issued a yellow card for fouling midfielder #27 Allan Arigoni.
The ensuing freekick taken by Chicago Fire midfielder #10 Xherdan Shaqiri was met with a spectacular full stretch save by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
⚔️⚔️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/3Dz3m2CwAL
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 5, 2024
In the 75th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder Esmir Bajraktarevic with midfielder Dylan Borrero.
Chicago almost leveled the match in the 76th minute when midfielder #17 Brian Gutiérrez drove into the area and was set to shoot but was met with a sliding challenge to stop the shot by defender Nick Lima.
In the 79th minute, Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas made his final two changes of the match by replacing midfielders #17 Brian Gutiérrez and #21 Fabian Herbers and replaced them with midfielder #30 Gastón Giménez and forward #55 Omari Glasgow.
In the 82nd minute, Chicago Fire defender #27 Allan Arigoni was issued a yellow card for fouling Dylan Borrero.
Scenes after the final whistle. pic.twitter.com/Ygk9hU2AOs
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 5, 2024
Following the foul, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second change of the match by replacing forward Giacomo Vrioni with midfielder Noel Buck.
Chicago almost leveled the match again in the 87th minute when forward #12 Tom Barlow’s header went just wide of the net.
Just two minutes later, Chicago had yet another close chance when the central ball was met with a shot by forward #9 Hugo Cuypers but was saved by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
In the 90+3rd minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his final change of the match by replacing defender Xavier Arreaga with Dave Romney.
Dylan Borrero and Carles Gil had a chance of their own in the 94th minute, though Borrero’s effort went high over the goal.
Entering the 90+6th minute, Revolution goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič was issued a yellow card for time wasting.
Chicago’s last chance came in the 90+6th minute when forward #9 Hugo Cuypers header was caught by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
Following the save, after the 90+7 minutes, New England held on for the 1-0 victory.
THIS IS THE WAY.#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/PjAl8aoTjA
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 5, 2024
This is New England’s first win on the road this season.
New England remain in last place, though close a much-needed gap with the result.
Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution (2-1-7, 7 pts.) head out to Harrison, New Jersey to face Eastern Conference side New York Red Bulls (4-5-2, 17 pts.). The match will kick off at Red Bull Arena at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, May 11th. For more MLS NEXT Pro content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
