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3 takeaways from the Revolution’s 3-2 loss vs. the Chicago Fire
New England's playoff hopes all but ended on a disappointing night in Chicago.
The Revolution lost 3-2 on the road against the Chicago Fire on Saturday night, as New England’s already narrow path to the playoffs all but closed completely.
A goal in the second minute from Chicago’s Jonathan Bamba, and another one eight minutes later from Fire forward Philip Zinckernagel, created an insurmountable hole for Caleb Porter’s team.
After falling behind 3-0 in the second half (via a Hugo Cuypers finish in the 68th minute), the Revolution were able to find a breakthrough from 17-year-old left Peyton Miller, who sprinted past his marker and tucked his narrow-angled shot into the far corner.
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A second goal in stoppage time via a Carles Gil penalty kick brought the margin back to a single score deficit. But even after creating a legitimate chance to tie the game in the final seconds, it proved to be a bridge too far for New England, who fell to a 8-14-7 record in 2025 MLS games.
Here are a few takeaways from a night that felt like it had some finality to it:
A disastrous start didn’t end the game, but it effectively decided it.
Playing without center-back Mamadou Fofana and center forward Leo Campana (on international duty), as well as center midfielder Matt Polster (injured), the brief period of continuity in the Starting XI that had (mostly) existed in recent games was shattered.
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In their places, Tanner Beason deputized in the defensive line, Jackson Yueill filled in for a second straight week for Polster (who was suspended in the preceding game), and Designated Player Tomás Chancalay took Campana’s spot up top.
Almost within seconds after kickoff, it became clear that Chicago — playing a fairly attacking 4-3-3 formation — could pass right through the Revolution midfield without facing resistance. The opening goal began in a sequence that was related to this fact.
In the buildup to the goal, Chicago central midfielder Brian Gutiérrez dropped from an advanced position back to the top of the center circle. Receiving a pass from defense with his back turned, he was allowed to spin toward the New England goal. Not only that, but because he had entirely escaped the marking of both Yueill and Alhassan Yusuf, Gutiérrez was allowed to compose himself before chipping a perfectly weighted pass over the top of the Revolution defense.
Bamba, running onto the pass from Gutiérrez, sprinted in behind New England’s attempt at an offside trap. Unfortunately for Revolution fans, it was also not a glorious moment for newly-returned goalkeeper Matt Turner.
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Since coming back from Europe on loan, Turner has largely been excellent for New England even amid tough results. Yet against Bamba on Saturday, Turner made a rare miscalculation, jumping over the ball in the belief that the Chicago forward would try to lob the ball into the net. Bamba simply glided past Turner’s leap, patiently waiting for the empty net (which he did not miss).
And yet, the full scope of the debacle was still taking shape for the Revolution. Moments later, with Chicago once again allowed to hold the ball at will just outside the New England box, Zinckernagel eventually ripped a shot into the far corner past Turner’s outstretched hand. While the second goal was less Turner’s fault (blame falls more naturally at the feet of the invisible Revolution midfield and central defense), it was a 10 minutes to forget for the U.S. international.
Chicago allowed plenty of avenues back into the game.
While the Revolution pressed the self-destruct button multiple times in the opening 25 minutes — nearly allowing a third goal in the 24th minute that was denied only by a quality Turner save — the Fire also played a highly imperfect game.
Chicago is also fighting desperately for a playoff bid (currently occupying the final play-in game spot), and looked like a mid-table team. In moments, their attack looked dynamic, and the Revolution were unable to prevent prolonged passing sequences right in front of their own goal.
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Yet the home team also allowed New England plenty of openings, as the “expected goals” statistic indicates (whether you believe the MLS version or the one from FotMob). Chicago’s insistence on playing the ball out from the back each time they regained possession necessitated some risky moments when a more organized New England press might have created turnovers.
But as has been the case for the Revolution for most of 2025, they were unable to make the most of mistakes made by an opponent, especially when it came to scoring goals.
Even still, Gil’s late penalty following Miller’s 78th minute goal set up a frantic final few minutes in which Porter’s team nearly pulled out a miraculous equalizer. Chancalay drove to the near post to latch onto a cross from Brandon Bye, but Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady was able to get just enough on the save to prevent the ball going past him.
“In the end, the game is on me.”
With the defeat, New England is not technically eliminated mathematically (that could happen with another loss next week vs. Toronto), but are effectively out of the postseason race.
Five games left and facing an 11-point gap to the playoff line means that — at the very least — the Revolution are no longer even fractionally in control of their own destiny. Multiple miracles (both in terms of achieving wins and opponents finding ways to lose) would be required.
Speaking to reporters in the postgame press conference on Saturday, Porter sounded like a coach who understood the circumstances.
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“Our plan was to take away the middle and we didn’t do that. That’s on me, I’m the coach,” he said. “Obviously, I prepare the team and pick the players. In the end, the game is on me.”
Asked by Blazing Musket senior editor Seth Macomber if he’s had discussions with the club about his future, Porter gave a lengthy reply.
“I haven’t had any big-picture, long-term discussions with anyone about the future,” he responded. “Obviously, up until this point, we still had a shot in the playoffs. We realize now that that’s slim. Chicago has six games [left in the season], we have five. It’ll take a miracle. We understand that it was a must-win game.
“I believe we’ve improved,” Porter said of the team during his tenure. “I believe the team is on the right track, but the results haven’t reflected that. That’s the reality. The reality is it’s two years, no playoffs. The reality is that we’ve not won enough games. That’s on me. Obviously, it’s not just on me, we’re a club, but for sure, it’s on me; I’m the head coach, so I’m a big part of it. Right now, it’s disappointing. Again, I do think we’re making progress, I do think we’re on the right track. I think that’s reflected in how competitive we are in every game, but it is about results in this business. I get that.”
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