Although Chicago Fire FC hoped for four straight wins at Soldier Field in Chicago with a victory against Sporting Kansas City, the hosts will be thrilled with a 2–2 draw, which puts the Fire into the playoff spots in the East, at least temporarily.
While the first half appeared evenly matched for the first 30 minutes, the visitors broke the deadlock in the 35th minute. Erik Hurtado got on the end of a well-worked move that began near the midfield, and after shrugging off a defender, neatly slotted it in to put Sporting ahead before the break.
However, in extra time, Robert Beric was able to get a shot off a corner that appeared to get cleared off the line by Amadou Dia. After Video Review it was determined that the ball had crossed the goal line before it was cleared.
In the second half, SKC stepped up their play, and in the 83rd minute, Gadi Kinda scored another for the visitors off a well-worked corner that left with him an open net on the backpost. However, just when most believed the game had ended, Djordje Mihailovic found an equalizer for Chicago. The US international got in behind the Sporting defense after a long ball over the top and Tim Melia was unable to handle it, leaving him with a golden opportunity.
Goals
- 35' — SKC — Erik Hurtado | WATCH
- 45+1' — CHI — Robert Beric | WATCH
- 83' — SKC — Gadi Kinda | WATCH
- 90+5' — CHI — Djordje Mihailovic | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Sporting Kansas City very nearly advanced to the top of the West — at least temporarily — but the last-minute goal snatched away two of those points and sent the visitors away with just one. For SKC it matters little, as the side is almost certainly going to the playoffs, but this could be a huge point for Chicago as they move above the playoff line for the moment.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Has to be the late equalizer that allowed Chicago to snatch a point from what looked like a sure Sporting win.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Who else but Mihailovic? It seemed sure that Sporting would walk away with all three goals, leaving Chicago to scramble desperately for the points needed for the playoff position, but while the goal doesn’t make the Fire entirely comfortable, at least Chicago is now above the playoff line.
Next Up
- CHI: Saturday, October 24 vs. New York Red Bulls (7:30pm ET | MSG, WGN-TV, MLS LIVE on ESPN+; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- SKC: Wednesday, October 24 vs. Colorado Rapids (8:30 pm ET | Altitude, Fox Sports KC, MLS LIVE on ESPN+; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
