FOXBOROUGH, Mass.(July 23, 2016) – The Chicago Fire (4-10-5, 17 points) fell to Eastern Conference foe New England Revolution (6-7-8, 26 points) on Saturday night, as a late Je-Vaughn Watson goal earned all three points for the home side.
New England had a pair of chances early on to take the lead in the first half. First, midfielder Kelyn Rowe saw a long-range rip from outside the 18-yard box parried away from net by goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the 10th minute. Revolution forward Teal Bunbury also missed an opportunity 10 minutes later, when his attempt off a Chris Tierney cross was pushed over the bar.
MLS Matchcenter | Match Highlights
The two teams would enter halftime level at 0-0. The Fire and Revolution combined for four total shots on goal in the first half, as New England enjoyed an edge in possession during the game’s opening stanza. The Revolution nearly gifted the Fire a lead in the 56th minute when a David Accam cross was played hard towards the home net on a clearance attempt from New England defender Jose Goncalves. However, goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth’s quick deflection managed to keep things level at zero.
Johnson came up big in the 70th minute when New England substitute Diego Fagundez blasted a hard attempt from the corner of the 18. Johnson’s diving stop – one of 10 on the night to match his career high -- and the Fire’s ensuing clearance on the corner dissolved the danger. However, the Revolution would find the game-winner in the 85th minute after a series of Johnson denials in the Chicago defensive third. Tierney played a ball in off a corner kick and Watson was there to finish with his head. The Revolution would carry the 1-0 score to full time and claim all three points.
Chicago will return to Foxborough to face the Revolution in the semifinals of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Aug. 9th. In MLS play, the Men in Red return to action on Sunday, July 31 at Toyota Park against the New York Red Bulls. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT with coverage on CSN Chicago.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (4-10-5, 17 points) 0:1 New England Revolution (6-7-8, 26 points)
July 23, 2016 – Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 21,872
Scoring Summary:
NE – Je-Vaughn Watson (Chris Tierney) 85’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Michael de Leeuw (caution) 30’
NE – Teal Bunbury (caution) 77’
CHI – David Accam (caution) 90+1’
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Johan Kappelhof, Jonathan Campbell (Arturo Alvarez 89’), Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent, Khaly Thiam, Matt Polster, Kennedy Igboananike (Michael Stephens 76’), John Goossens, David Accam ©, Michael de Leeuw
Subs not used: Patrick McLain, Eric Gehrig, Michael Harrington, Rodrigo Ramos, Nick LaBrocca
Shots: 14; Shots On-Goal: 0; Saves: 10; Fouls: 11; Corners: 6; Offsides: 3
New England Revolution: Bobby Shuttleworth, Je-Vaughn Watson, Jose Goncalves, London Woodberry, Andrew Farrell, Scott Caldwell (Diego Fagundez 58’), Chris Tierney, Kelyn Rowe, Lee Nguyen © (Gershon Koffie 88’), Teal Bunbury, Kei Kamara (Daigo Kobayashi 90 +5’)
Subs not used: Brad Knighton, Samba, Steve Neumann, Darrius Barnes
Shots: 18; Shots On-Goal: 11; Saves: 0; Fouls: 12; Corners: 8; Offsides: 0
