Played
March 9, 2013 7:52 PM EST
Toyota Park — Bridgeview, Illinois
Referee: H. Grajeda
Attendance: 13242
March 9, 2013 7:52 PM EST
Toyota Park — Bridgeview, Illinois
Referee: H. Grajeda
Attendance: 13242
Chicago Fire 0-1 New England Revolution: Bengtson scores in Revs' season opener
After two games, Chicago has yet to score a goal with five allowed, as the Revs claimed a big road victory.
By Keith Hickey
Jerry Bengtson - New England
The Chicago Fire settled further into the bottom spot on the MLS table, dropping its home opener 1-0 to the New England Revolution off a Jerry Bengtson header.
The first half was a tenacious fight, if ultimately scoreless affair. Reigning MLS Rookie of the Year Austin Berry displayed an impressively bloody nose after coming off worse in a meeting with New England's Jerry Bengtson.
Chicago passed up a golden opportunity in the 27th minute. Patrick Nyarko did excellent work to win the ball off Revolution defenders - twice - before finding Sherjill MacDonald unmarked in front of goal. The Dutch DP did poorly, however, hitting his effort right at a grateful Matt Reis.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper came up big for the visitors a few minutes later. Dilly Duka unleashed a powerful driving shot at the top corner, but the veteran did enough to knock it into the woodwork and keep the game scoreless.
It was New England's turn to go agonizingly close in the 56th minute. A poor clearance allowed an incisive New England passing move to open up the Fire defense, with Lee Nguyen playing in Juan Carlos Toja, but a brilliant recovery from Austin Berry saved the day before the Colombian could finish.
Jerry Bengtson grabbed the game-winner in the 62nd minute. The Fire struggled to clear their lines, and Toja laid off for substitute Kelyn Rowe, who chipped a ball over the top for Bengtson to run onto and dink a header past Sean Johnson.
The Honduras international's strike would prove to be the lone tally in the game, as Chicago dropped its second straight and saw its goal difference hit -5 after two games, without a single tally in reply.
The first half was a tenacious fight, if ultimately scoreless affair. Reigning MLS Rookie of the Year Austin Berry displayed an impressively bloody nose after coming off worse in a meeting with New England's Jerry Bengtson.
Chicago passed up a golden opportunity in the 27th minute. Patrick Nyarko did excellent work to win the ball off Revolution defenders - twice - before finding Sherjill MacDonald unmarked in front of goal. The Dutch DP did poorly, however, hitting his effort right at a grateful Matt Reis.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper came up big for the visitors a few minutes later. Dilly Duka unleashed a powerful driving shot at the top corner, but the veteran did enough to knock it into the woodwork and keep the game scoreless.
It was New England's turn to go agonizingly close in the 56th minute. A poor clearance allowed an incisive New England passing move to open up the Fire defense, with Lee Nguyen playing in Juan Carlos Toja, but a brilliant recovery from Austin Berry saved the day before the Colombian could finish.
Jerry Bengtson grabbed the game-winner in the 62nd minute. The Fire struggled to clear their lines, and Toja laid off for substitute Kelyn Rowe, who chipped a ball over the top for Bengtson to run onto and dink a header past Sean Johnson.
The Honduras international's strike would prove to be the lone tally in the game, as Chicago dropped its second straight and saw its goal difference hit -5 after two games, without a single tally in reply.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack McInerney Striker Philadelphia Union |
8 | 0 |
|
Mike Magee Midfielder LA Galaxy |
6 | 1 |
|
Claudio Bieler Striker Sporting KC |
6 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
6 | 0 |
|
Robert Earnshaw Striker Toronto FC |
5 | 2 |
