Despite early deficits of 2-0 and 3-1, the team led by American coach Frank Klopas found a heroic response, culminating in Kellyn Acosta’s goal from beyond midfield in the 99th minute.
The fourth and final goal of the match was influenced by the wind currents at the end of Lake Michigan. This is because in the final stretch of the match, after Acosta’s shot, from the central circle, the visiting goalkeeper, Jonathan Sirois, was surprised by the strange effect that the ball took.
At first, it seemed that he was not in danger, but the effect that the air gave him caused him to head towards the goal of the Canadian, who was left without reacting in time, which decided the match in favor of the locals.
Earlier, in the first half, Montreal’s Matías Coccaro took advantage of two penalty kicks to give his team an initial 2-0 lead, in the 7th minute and then in the 12th minute. However, Maren Haile-Selassie closed the gap for Klopas’s team just before the break, keeping the home team’s hope alive.
The second half was a whirlwind of emotions. Dominik Yankov extended Montreal’s lead to 3-1 in the 70th minute, but the Fire did not give up and got a second wind when Raheem Edwards was sent off for a red card in the 82nd minute, allowing Brian Gutierrez to close the gap. just one goal from the penalty spot.
The drama reached its peak in the final minutes of the match. In the 95th minute, Hugo Cuypers tied the score at 3-3 with a precise header, triggering euphoria in the stands. However, the decisive moment came in the last breath of added time.
With Montreal pulling back to protect its lead, a poorly executed clearance by the goalie led to a miraculous play. Kellyn Acosta, recently acquired as a free agent, saw his opportunity and secured the first win of the season for Chicago Fire FC.
THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE WINDY CITY
Stoppage-time scenes in Chicago! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/8vZQppXIHL
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 16, 2024
Herrera against Inter Miami
The good moment of the national team, Aaron Herrera, with DC United was cut short this Saturday after the first defeat of the championship at the hands of Inter Miami.
The herons, without Lionel Messi, arrived at Audi Field as leaders of the competition and left with only Sergio Busquets as starter and captain. Since his former teammates at Barcelona, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba, started on the bench for Gerardo Martino.
Although Jared Stroud put the Washington team ahead in the 14th minute, Argentine Leonardo Campana, who gave the number 9 to Suárez this year, tied the score for the Fort Lauderdale team in the 24th minute.
This strike 🤩 pic.twitter.com/aqGfjEcFG2
— D.C. United (@dcunited) March 16, 2024
It would be, precisely, Suárez, with the 9 on his back, who was in charge of scoring the other two goals for the pink team, at 72 and then at 85. With the time elapsed, the capital team suffered the expulsion of Pedro Santos.
Herrera started the 90 minutes, but could not increase his assist record, he started the play for his team’s only score, and was cautioned at minute 34 of the first half.
This was the first defeat for the team led by Troy Lesesne, since in four MLS games they have five points, the product of one victory and two draws.
62′ Suárez subs in
72′ Suárez scores
😤Watch free on @appletv: pic.twitter.com/QLn71bjHoj
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 16, 2024
LUIS SUAREZ.
What a way to bag your brace. 😅 pic.twitter.com/V62y9NFmyR
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 16, 2024
#Chicago #Fire #Montreal #goal #Acosta #wind