All the New England Revolution needed on Saturday to beat the Chicago Fire was 2 minutes of brilliance in the early minutes of the 2nd half. In that span of 2 minutes, Diego Fagundez and Charlie Davies each would score goals, in a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium.
New England were trying to snap a 6 game winless streak, 4 ties and 2 losses. Their last win was a 2-1 win over the Redbulls at the end of April. And if there was an opponent they needed to and had to beat, it was Chicago. Tied for 2nd worst team in MLS, New England had to beat the Fire. Chicago came into this game missing 3 key players to international duties. But despite that, Chicago wasn’t going to make this win easy for New England.
Heaps post game comments:
“These are eastern conference matches so the points are important. Even though the game didn’t go our way early, we felt there was a goal in it for us.”
“We didn’t want to come back through those doors without the 3 points. We were riled up as a group, and it wasn’t me, it was the group. We could be doing more, could be more urgency. Chicago did a nice job limiting spaces and chances, they were tight in their shape and couldn’t really break through, so it was going to take our speed of play to open up”
The first half didn’t have much in the way of scoring chances. Both teams had them. Chicago had 2 shots in a flurry of activity, one shot saved by Revs keeper Shuttleworth, and the rebound getting blocked by Scott Caldwell. New England’s Chris Tierney had a free kick near Chicago’s penalty area go inches wide of the post.
But of course the highlights of the game were the two goals scored by Diego Fagundez and Charlie Davies. Both goals were moments of individual brilliance.
Diego’s goal vs Chicago:
I know I have been hard of Diego. To be honest, the past year has been hard for him. He understands he has to do better and to take advantage of each playing opportunity. He scored his first goal 2 weeks ago against LA with a sweet free kick. And his goal against the Fire? Very, Very hard to do what he did there without missing the net all together! The way he had to hit the ball, his technique, and the power behind that shot, well you try it and see for yourself! Good to see him score some goals again, especially if he wants to get his career back on track.
The second goal was pretty good to. Charlie Davies showed the definition of awareness on his goal Diego was also involved in the play, although he didn’t get credit with an assist. Teal’s attempted shot on net wasn’t hit cleanly, but it went slow enough and fortunately right at Charlie’s head where he was able to head the ball on target and for the goal!
This was a crucial win. They snap their winless streak and also snap a run of 7 games conceding a goal. Their schedule will get a bit congested and tough. Their next match will be a mid week game in the US Open cup against Charlotte in Boston. Then after that a Saturday night game down in DC against DC United, who sits first in the East.