CHICAGO (March 18, 2024) - Chicago Fire FC midfielder Kellyn Acosta has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 5 following his performance in Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 win against CF Montréal, which included the game-winning goal in the 90+9th minute at Soldier Field.
Acosta joined the Fire ahead of the 2024 regular season as a free agent, playing in all four matches (three starts) for the Men in Red so far this year. His goal against Montréal was his first for the Fire and his 19th overall goal in 256 games (215 starts) in his MLS career.
Head Coach Frank Klopas became just the third manager to reach 50 victories in Chicago Fire history when Acosta scored the game-winner from inside his own half. With his goal in the final minute of Saturday’s contest, Acosta etched his name in Fire history, tallying the latest game-winning goal during regulation of an MLS regular season match.
Additionally, with goals in the 84th, 90+5th, and 90+9th minutes, the Fire became the first team in MLS history to win a match in regulation after scoring two-or-more-goals in the 84th minute or later. The last time the Fire overcame a two-goal deficit to win was against the Colorado Rapids on Aug. 23, 2009 at SeatGeek Stadium.
After going down 2-0 early in the match, Designated Player Hugo Cuypers and midfielders Brian Gutiérrez and Maren Haile-Selassie each found the back of the net to tie the match. Acosta’s game-winning finish in the 90+9th minute, made the Fire the first team in MLS history to score both a game-tying and game-winning goal in the 95th minute or later.Â
Chicago travels to face the New England Revolution on Saturday, March 23, at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on MLS Season Pass. The match will also be transmitted locally via wlsam.com in English and WRTO 1200 AM in Spanish.
