Chicago Fire Survive Late Scare to Defeat New England Revolution 3–2 in Thriller

By Adam Luna

First-Half Firepower

The Fire wasted no time setting the tone. In just the 2nd minute, Jonathan Bamba finished clinically with his left foot from the left side of the box after a neat assist from Brian Gutiérrez, giving Chicago a dream start.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 10th minute. Philip Zinckernagel unleashed a precise right-footed shot from outside the box, defying the low xG with a strike to the corner that left Matt Turner helpless.

Despite New England’s pressure. with headers from Ilay Feingold and chances for Peyton Miller, the visitors couldn’t beat Chris Brady, who made several timely saves. At the interval, Chicago held a commanding 2–0 lead.

Chicago Extend, New England Fight Back

Chicago added a third in the 68th minute. Hugo Cuypers latched onto André Franco’s pass and fired home from the right side of the box, seemingly sealing the points at 3–0.

But New England weren’t finished. Ten minutes later, Peyton Miller pulled one back with a composed left-footed strike into the bottom corner, assisted by Tomás Chancalay. That goal breathed life into the visitors, who began pushing the Fire deeper into their own half.

In stoppage time, the drama peaked when New England were awarded a penalty. Captain Carles Gil stepped up and smashed his spot kick into the top corner in the 90’+4, making it 3–2. The Revolution almost completed the comeback minutes later when Chancalay’s header was denied brilliantly by Brady in the 90’+6.

Final Whistle

Chicago’s early dominance and clinical finishing ultimately carried them through, though their inability to control the final stages left them hanging on. The Fire can take heart from the attacking displays of Bamba, Zinckernagel, and Cuypers, while Brady’s late save proved decisive.

For New England, it was a case of too little, too late. Gil orchestrated much of their best play, but defensive lapses in the first half cost them dearly.