Stoppage Time Goal from Homegrown Alex Monis Earns Chicago Fire FC a Point in 1-1 Draw with New England Revolution

Bridgeview, Ill. (Oct. 9, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC (10-15-9, 39 points) drew 1-1 with the New England Revolution (10-12-12, 42 points) on Sunday afternoon, courtesy of a 92nd minute equalizer from 19-year-old Homegrown Alex Monis in the team’s final match of the year. 

The first half remained scoreless as both sides fought to find the edge. The Fire dominated possession throughout the opening 45 minutes and outshot the visitors 7-4, including a bending shot from Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri from outside the 18-yard-box, as well as two close chances from Fire center back Kendall Burks. 

The Fire continued to press in their attack, generating several more dangerous chances, including three near-goal scoring opportunities within the span of five minutes from Shaqiri, Jhon Durán and Chris Mueller. 

New England forward Dylan Borrero broke the scoring drought in the 88th minute, scoring off a shot from outside the 18-yard box, into the upper left hand corner of the net. However, the Fire would respond just four minutes later with a stoppage-time goal from Monis, which marked the first of his MLS career.

The 19-year-old Homegrown found the back of the net as the ball fell to his feet following an initial deflection save from New England goalkeeper Djordje Petrović. Monis placed a one-time volley from the top of the six-yard-box to level the score and provide the game’s final goal. 

In addition to Monis’ goal, today’s match was highlighted by two Fire Homegrowns making their MLS debuts. Naperville native and goalkeeper Chris Brady made his first MLS start for the Club, tallying four total saves throughout the 90-minute contest. Having signed a professional contract with the Fire at the end of the 2021 season, 17-year-old midfielder Sergio Oregel Jr. also made his MLS debut today, entering the match in the 79th minute to replace fellow Homegrown midfielder, Mauricio Pineda.

Fire alumni, including members of the 1998 US Open Cup and MLS Cup Championship teams, were in attendance at today's match in honor of the Club’s 25th Season Anniversary. Fire players wore special commemorative jerseys during the game which were then auctioned off to fans to benefit the Fire’s P.L.A.Y.S. Program. 

Notes:

• Fire midfielder Alex Monis scored his first MLS goal in his second all-time appearance.
• The Fire have stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in 23 of their 34 games.The Philadelphia Union (27) ranks as the only team to keep their opponents off the scoresheet in the first half more than the Fire this season.
• The Fire have scored in their last five League games, their longest run of games with a goal since a run of six games from June 30th to July 24th.
• Today’s match was the second meeting of the season between the Fire and the Revolution, with both contests ending in a draw. Chicago and the Revs previously battled to a 0-0 draw at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 31.
• Today’s match was also the 69th all-time regular season encounter between the two sides. With the 1-1 result today, the Fire now hold a 17-7-11 record in the all-time head-to-head series. 

Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 1:1 New England Revolution

Goals:
NER - Borrero (3) (Bye 7) 88’
CHI - Monis (1) 90+2'

Discipline:
CHI - Pineda (Yellow Card) 18’
CHI - Mueller (Yellow Card) 44’
NER - Vrioni (Yellow Card) 57’

Chicago Fire FC: GK Brady, D Sekulić (D Espinoza, 79’), D M. Navarro, D Terán, D Burks, M Pineda (M Oregel Jr., 79’), M Mueller (M Monis, 89’), M Shaqiri ©, M F. Navarro, M Gutiérrez (Ivanov, 73’), F Durán

Subs not used: GK Richey, D Bornstein, M Casas Jr., F Bezerra, F Przybyłko

New England Revolution: GK Petrović, D Farrell, D Kessler, D Bye, D Jones, M Kaptoum (Makoun, 74’), M Bou (D Gonzalez, 90+1), M C. Gil ©, M McNamara, M N. Gil (M Rivera, 74’), F Vrioni (Borrero, 65)

Subs not used: GK Knighton, D Bell, M Boateng, M Buck, F Rennicks

Stats Summary: CHI / NER
Shots: 14 / 12
Shots on Goal: 5 / 5
Saves: 4 / 4
Passing Accuracy: 82% / 79.1%
Corners: 8 / 0
Fouls: 17 / 10
Offsides: 1 / 0
Possession: 54.8% / 45.2%

Attendance: 14,357

Referee: Michael Radchuck
Assistant Referees: Andrew Bigelow, Tyler Wyrostek
Fourth Official: Luis Arroyo
VAR: Chico Grajeda