New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire | 2019 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

2019 MLS Regular Season – Week 25
New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire
Gillette Stadium – Foxborough
August 24 – 7:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada

Two points and four spots in the standings separate the New England Revolution and the Chicago Fire as the Eastern Conference rivals square off in a match with massive playoff implications Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.

The Revolution (9-9-8) are in the sixth place in the East, one point in front of the Montreal Impact and Orlando City SC after rallying to secure a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls Saturday night at Red Bull Arena. After playing most of the first half on their heels, the Revs were fortunate to not trail by more than a thunderous Marc Rzatkowski goal in the 18th minute. Gustavo Bou leveled in the 65th minute and Matt Turner made nine saves as New England extended an unbeaten run on the road to seven consecutive matches.

The Fire (8-11-9) kept their playoff hopes alive with a dramatic 2-0 home victory over the Philadelphia Union, their third win in the last four games. Nemanja Nikolic broke the scoreless stalemate in the 38th minute, tapping in a deflected cross from Przemyslaw Frankowski. Nikolic doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before Nico Gaitan was sent off on a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Jamiro Monteiro.

This is the second regular season meeting with the Fire thumping the Revs, 5-0, at SeatGeek Stadium May 8. Nikolic had a first-half brace and Brandt Bronico, Gaitan and Frankowski scoring a goal apiece in Brad Friedel's final game in charge of New England.