Revs clinch playoff spot
Carles Gil scored in stoppage time to secure a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night at Soldier Field.
The Revolution (18-4-5) clinched a spot in the MLS playoffs, set a team record for wins in a single season, tied the club mark with 59 points and moved closer to securing their first Supporters Shield with seven games remaining.
“We are pleased with the team’s effort and the position we are in and we accomplished one of our objectives, we qualified for the playoffs,” said Revs coach Bruce Arena. “We have the records for victories and points and that’s nice and certainly an accomplishment that needs to be recognized.”
Gil dribbled into the right side of the penalty box and beat Chicago goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina to the near post to give the Revs all three points.
The match was the second of four games in 11 days, the most congested phase of the season. The Revolution host Orlando City on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium and play at Montreal next Wednesday.
Because of the logjam, Arena made nine changes to the starting 11 that battled Columbus to a 1-1 draw on Sept. 18. The two carryovers were keeper Matt Turner and center back Henry Kessler and both had a huge impact on the game.
The Revs went up 1-0 in the on a set piece set in motion by Arnor Traustason in the 11th minute. Traustason launched a ball from up top into the penalty area that was headed into the middle by Jonathan Bell. Kessler beat the pack to the cross and jump kicked it by Slonina for his first goal of the season.
The Fire put on an offensive show after 35 minutes, taking advantage of the Revolution erratic passes and poor decisions. The Fire tied the game 1-1 off a corner kick by Gaston Gimenez in the 40th minute. Defender Carlos Teran got under the launch and beat Turner on a header to the near post.
“After we scored the first goal, Chicago did well coming after us and they pressed the ball,” said Arena.
Arena opened the second half with playmaker Carles Gil and leading scorer Gustavo Bou on the pitch. The two designated player brought the game to the Chicago end and produced several scoring chances.
The Revs went up 2-1 on a tic-tac-toe play that began on a goal kick in the 62nd minute. Turner booted the ball over midfield to Bou, who headed to Bunbury on the run. Bunbury got behind Jon Bornstein and beat Slonina to the near post.
The Fire netted the equalizer a minute later when Chinonso Offer set up Gimenez for an uncontested shot from the middle of the penalty area. Kessler kept the game tied by clearing a Ignacio Aliseda shot off the line in the 66th minute. Tuner made big saves on Aliseda and Luka Stojanovic down the stretch.