PC: Chicago Fire FC
Coming off a blockbuster 1-1 result against Inter Miami on Wednesday, the Men in Red fell 2-1 against New England Revolution on September 13 at Soldier Field.
Chicago's attempt to come back from a 2-0 deficit fell short against its Eastern Conference rival, who currently sits at third on the table.
With the loss, the Fire snap their seven-game unbeaten streak against MLS competition. Chicago has now gone six consecutive matches without a win.
With Fire midfielder Anton Salétros unavailable to play in the match with a lower body injury, Chicago's latest transfer Johan Gómez earned his first MLS start since joining the team on September 1.
The Mexican-American midfielder was acquired from Eintracht Braunschweig during the mid-season transfer window, signing a contract that will run through the 2028-29 season, with an option for the 2029-30 season.
"One of the things Gregg [Berhalter] told me early on, is that the guys are awesome," Gómez said. "Also, the guys' wives have been great to my wife, so they made it a super easy transition. "Transferring in the middle of the season is never easy, but they've made it really, really easy."
On Friday, Gómez found out that he would be starting for his new club this weekend.
“I was really excited, my in-laws are in town, so it was a great moment for me and for them as well to be able to live that," Gómez said.
"Obviously disappointed with the result, but I think it was really important to get these minutes with the guys, especially in my position, to start to know how they play, build the chemistry, and then hopefully be able to play better and better.”
The 25-year-old Fire midfielder was subbed off by Robin Lod ten minutes into the second half.
"He was potentially more a victim of the entire team not playing with enough speed, in the time that he played in," Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter said. "I saw some positive things from him, and we know that he can help this group.”
The Arlington, Texas, native's presence was felt in the 34th minute after his newest teammate, Robert Lewandowski, got tangled up with New England's Mamadou Fofana on the ground. While Fofana was in the act of not allowing the Polish superstar to get up, Gómez shoved Fofana towards the ground, showcasing his determination and commitment to his new club.
After competing for 55 minutes, Gómez displayed the potential he brings to a Chicago squad that eagerly needed an attacking midfielder that runs at defenders.
Throughout his time on the pitch, Gómez connected well with his new teammates near the penalty box and showed urgency when fighting for possession against New England.
"[New England] made it really difficult, especially the way they played," Gómez said. "I feel like they got two chances and scored both times, so that was a bit frustrating because I felt like we were on the front foot most of the game."
"It's something we're gonna have to learn how to play against, especially because some of the top teams play that way, and it's not always gonna be an open game.”
Apart from Gómez's starting debut, Chicago's slow start put themselves in a hole they were never able to climb out of.
In the 39th minute, a long ball from New England's own penalty box towards Dor Turgeman caught Fire defender Sam Rogers flat-footed, resulting in a lost foot race that ended with Chicago conceding a goal heading into halftime.
A couple minutes into the second half, an unmarked Turgeman received another longball, putting him in position to send a cross to his teammate, Peyton Miller, for a goal to double their lead.
[I was] very critical on the group about our defending," Berhalter said. "For us to be in great attacking positions and give up a goal like we gave up is inexcusable. It's not good enough at this level. With the implications of this game, it wasn't good enough, and I told the group that. Very disappointed with the result."
Fire forward Maren Haile-Selassie made an immediate impact on the match after being subbed in at the 55th minute.
Haile-Selassie scored his eighth goal this year after a shot from the penalty arc snuck past New England's goalkeeper to cut the deficit in half. The Swiss native has now scored five goals in his last five matches.
Despite the Fire finishing the match with 20 shots and 13 corner kick opportunities, the late offensive effort was not enough to prevent the tough loss at home.
The Fire will travel to Tennessee to face the current leaders of the Eastern Conference, Nashville SC (16-3-6), on September 19 at 8:30 p.m. CST.
