The New England Revolution escaped 1-0 winners over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium thanks to an 85th-minute winner from Je-Vaughn Watson. The Revolution, who entered the night just above the red line in the Eastern Conference, got a much needed three points to secure their playoff positioning heading into the break ahead of the AT&T MLS All-Star Game.
Conversely, the result for the Fire was understandably heartbreaking. Already in the cellar in the East, six points adrift from a playoff spot and riding a 34-game winless run on the road dating back just over two years, Chicago will have felt hard done to not get at least one point on the road.
For much of the day, it looked like Chicago would get a point, as goalkeeper Sean Johnson made save after save down the stretch. But that all unravelled when the Fire 'keeper failed to claim a Chris Tierney corner and the ball fell to Watson's head in the game's dying moments.
Box Score
- 85' - NE - Watson (Tierney)
- Full box score
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Three Things
- 35 AND COUNTING...The Chicago Fire's road winless streak hit 35 games on Saturday night. That dates back just over two years to July 12, 2014.
- BUT ON A POSITIVE NOTE...The Fire were just minutes away from earning a point in a tough away match. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson was mere minutes away from a man-of-the-match performance, David Accam had his usual moments of excitement, and his relationship with new signing Michael de Leeuw seems to be getting clearer.
- THE UNLIKELIEST OF HEROS: On a night in which the Revs posted 18 shots (11 on goal) it was Watson -- two years since his last goal -- who found the breakthrough. It was a fantastic finish to the night for the 32-year-old Jamaican, who has been playing as a holding midfielder of late (his preferred position) after spending much of his MLS career as a defender.
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