BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (July 31, 2016) – The Chicago Fire drew the New York Red Bulls 2-2 on Sunday at Toyota Park thanks to goals from David Accam and Matt Polster.
After the Red Bulls took an early 1-0 lead, the Fire charged back to take a 2-1 advantage into halftime. Accam provided the equalizer, and Polster scored his first career MLS goal to move Chicago to the front. However, a late goal from Bradley Wright-Phillips leveled the final score.
New York’s first goal came in the 16th minute after the Matt Polster deflected a cross from Mike Grella into the Fire’s net.
The answer came from Accam via de Leeuw in the 35th minute. Ramos played the initial ball to de Leeuw in the air. The Dutch striker won the header, and Accam stalked the rebound before uncoiling a shot into the lower left corner for his fifth goal of the season.
The Fire took the lead just before halftime thanks in part to a pinpoint cross from John Goossens. Goossens saw Polster on a back-post run and bent a cross from the near sideline over New York’s back line. The pass landed directly in Polster’s path and resulted in an emphatic diving header.
Wright-Phillips knotted the game in the 90th minute, polishing off a cross from Connor Lade. The Fire cleared a Red Bulls corner kick, but the ball came back into the mix with New York’s numbers still forward. Lade’s cross from the right was met with a roundhouse volley from Wright-Phillips to provide the final scoreline.
Postmatch Reaction: Veljko Paunovic | Matt Polster
The draw extends Chicago’s home-unbeaten streak in all competitions to nine games.
The Men in Red return to action against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 6. Kickoff is 9 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago and 97.5 Poder.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (4-10-6, 18 points) 2:2 New York Red Bulls (9-9-5, 32 points)
July 31, 2016 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 17,221
Scoring Summary:
NY – Matt Polster (own goal) 16
CHI – David Accam (unassisted) 35
CHI – Matt Polster (John Goossens, Rodrigo Ramos) 45+2
NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips (Connor Lade) 90
Misconduct Summary:
NY – Felipe (caution) 15
CHI – Khaly Thiam (caution) 38
NY – Mike Grella (caution) 57
CHI – Razvan Cocis (caution) 76
NY – Ronald Zubar (caution) 90+2
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Rodrogo Ramos, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira (Jonathan Campbell 43), Michael Harrington, Matt Polster, Khaly Thiam, Arturo Alvarez (Razvan Cocis 60), John Goossens (Nick LaBrocca 82), David Accam ©, Michael de Leeuw.
Shots: 7; Shots On-Goal: 4; Saves: 1; Fouls: 19; Corners: 1; Offsides: 6
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles, Sal Zizzo (Justin Bilyeu 73), Aurelien Collin, Ronald Zubar, Connor Lade, Alex Muyl (Gonzalo Veron 55), Felipe, Dax McCarty © (Sean Davis 42), Sacha Kljestan, Mike Grella, Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Shots: 12; Shots On-Goal: 2; Saves: 2; Fouls: 9; Corners: 10; Offsides: 1
