The New England Revolution secured a berth within the MLS Cup playoffs for the fourth time in 5 years with a 2-2 draw in opposition to the Chicago Fire on Saturday night time at Soldier Field.
The Revolution improved to 13-6-10 and entered right into a four-way tie for third place within the Eastern Conference whereas extending their September winless streak (0-1-3) to 4 video games with 5 remaining.
The Revolution are 3-6-6 on the highway this season and start a two recreation homestand on Sept. 30 in opposition to Charlotte FC at Gillette Stadium.
“Obviously the main goal is to get into the playoffs and give yourself a chance but we are not satisfied with that,” mentioned Revolution interim head coach Clint Peay. “We want the highest seed possible and we still have a couple of tough games to go and that is going to be our goal moving forward.”
Peay mentioned previous to match that he wished add some new wrinkles to the assault with out altering the “DNA” of the crew throughout his first full week of observe. Peay made solely two adjustments to the Starting XI he employed in a 2-1 loss at Colorado on Sept. 16.
“There were some tweaks with being a little bit more connected,” mentioned Peay. “It is important to be competitive on the road so we can get home field advantage in the playoffs.”
After being stoned on a superlative save by Chicago keeper Chis Brady within the sixteenth minute, ahead Tomas Chancalay wouldn’t be denied within the seventeenth. Chancalay pressured a turnover at midfield and led a rush down the left flank. Chancalay related with Giacomo Vrioni within the field and adopted the play into the penalty space. Vrioni’s bid was blocked however the ball rebounded to an unmarked Chancalay, who unloaded a torpedo that was within the web earlier than Brady may reply.
“Tomas has a lot of energy and he is obviously a guy in and around the box who is very dangerous,” mentioned Peay. “He made a pretty good shot tonight that he buried.”
The Revolution’s early success was short-lived when midfielder Brian Gutierez scored his third of the season within the 18th minute. Right again Jonathan Dean made a deep probe to the fitting of the penalty space. Dean had a transparent view of the field earlier than launching a cross via site visitors. Gutierez caught the ball together with his left foot and redirected it by Revs’ keeper Earl Edwards Jr.
The Fire went up 2-1 in a coordinated run up the sector within the 54th minute. Gutierez managed a cross in the course of the penalty space and instantly drew a crowd. Gutierez reversed discipline and set the ball again to midfielder Gaston Gimenez on the high of the field. Gimenez assessed his state of affairs and shot the ball contained in the far put up for his first of the season.
The Revolution tied the sport briefly order when the finisher arrange the playmaker within the 59th minute. Vrioni bought management of the penalty space and, together with his view of the cage obstructed, despatched the ball again to Carles Gil on the high of the field. Gil’s shot deflected off defender Miguel Navarro and sailed over Brady for his crew excessive ninth of the season.
“I think the idea was to have some connectivity and advance the ball into the final third and try and create some opportunities,” mentioned Peay. “There was some good stuff in the game regarding that.”
