A late golazo from Gustavo Bou delivered the New England Revolution all three points Saturday night at Gillette Stadium, as they beat the Chicago Fire 2-1 during Heineken Rivalry Week.
Bou’s game-winner arrived in the 86th minute, as he forced a midfield turnover and laced a left-footed strike past goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm from 20 yards out. Until then, it looked as though the old Eastern Conference foes would draw after exchanging first-half goals.
The Revolution were on the front foot early on and found their reward in the 17th minute, as Wilfried Zahibo made it 1-0. The French midfielder made a near-post run and got on the end of a Brandon Bye cross, one-touching it home.
Chicago then equalized in the 41st minute, as Nico Gaitan invitingly curled in a free kick from the left. The Argentine’s ball found Francisco Calvo, who flicked home a header to the far post.
New England were forced to adjust their tactics early, as forward Teal Bunbury was subbed off in the 12th minute for what the home broadcast described as a hamstring injury.
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Goals
- 17' – NE – Wilfried Zahibo | WATCH
- 41' – CHI – Francisco Calvo | WATCH
- 86' – NE – Gustavo Bou | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: This one has implications on the jam-packed Eastern Conference playoff race, as New England stay in sixth place ahead of Toronto FC, next weekend’s opponent. It was also the Revolution’s first win in nearly a month, as they returned home after a two-game road swing. For Chicago, just five games remain to climb into a postseason spot. It’s approaching do-or-die time for Veljko Paunovic’s team.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Club record signing Gustavo Bou continues to step up for New England, and his late strike turned one point into three for the home side. He now has five goals and one assist through seven games since coming to MLS from Liga MX side Club Tijuana.
- MAN OF THE MATCH. Wilfried Zahibo has been in out and out New England’s XI all season, which could prove frustrating for any player. But the Frenchman was a bright spot against Chicago, scoring his first goal of 2019 and breaking up plays left and right.
Next Up
- NE: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Toronto FC (7:30 pm ET | TSN 1/4, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US)
- CHI: Saturday, Aug. 31 at Columbus Crew (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
