The Chicago Fire (0-2-0, 0 points) fell to the New England Revolution (1-0-0, 3 points) 1-0 at Toyota Park Saturday evening. A 62nd minute goal from Revolution forward Jerry Bengtson was the difference as the Revolution won their first MLS Regular Season match at Toyota Park since July 8, 2006.
The Fire came out charged from the early going and nearly went ahead in the third minute. Steven Kinney worked his way up the right side before a quick combination with Chris Rolfe pushed the fourth-year defender into the box. Kinney quickly cut back for Sherjill MacDonald who pushed his first-time effort over the bar.
Two minutes later the Revolution responded with a chance of their own as Lee Nguyen found himself in space on the right before crossing for Jerry Bengtson. The Honduran international split between Austin Berry and Jalil Anibaba but pushed his header right at Sean Johnson.
In the 26th minute Joel Lindpere looped a ball for Rolfe up the right flank. The savvy forward worked his way to the end line before cutting back and chipping his effort just over the far post.
Rolfe would provide danger again just one minute later as he dribbled into the box on the right before losing the ball to Jose Julio Goncalves. Patrick Nyarko sneakily dispossessed the Revs defender and centered for MacDonald at the six yard box but the Dutch forward’s first-time effort was too soft and was easily collected by Matt Reis.
The Fire would get their best chance of the half in the 31st minute as Rolfe intercepted a pass out of the back at midfield before laying off for Dilly Duka. The winger took the space inside before unleashing a right-footed rocket that Reis got a touch to sending the ball clanging off the crossbar.
Rolfe would cause trouble once more before the break, dispossessing Andrew Farrell just outside the box before sliding the ball for Lindpere. The Estonian international collected before hitting a low blast to force Reis into a bobbling save, taking the teams into the half deadlocked at 0-0.
In the 50th minute, second-half sub Maicon Santos lofted the ball over the top of the Revolution defense to Lindpere, who slid it through to an onrushing Duka, but it was just out of his reach and it was easily collected by Reis.
The visitors broke through and found the lone goal of the match in the 62nd minute. Kelyn Rowe lofted a cross into the Fire penalty box and found Jerry Bengston, and the Honduran international was able to head the ball just out of Johnson’s reach.
With five minutes of stoppage time added to the match, the Fire continued to press for the equalizer. In the waning moments of the match, Lindpere won the ball and played it through to Santos on the left flank. Santos let loose a low drive but Reis was able dive onto the ball to preserve the score line.
