HARRISON, N.J. – Two goals after the 40th minute leads New York Red Bulls past Chicago Fire in a tough win that gets the team back into the win column at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday night. Goals from Serge Ngoma and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting were enough to quell a Fire team that pushed for an equalizer late into the second half.
The first half was mostly uneventful as Red Bulls controlled possession but created few opportunities. Chicago, to their credit, sat patiently and waited for their moments. For the most part, New York gave little away and were able to move the ball with frequency. A few bad passes in the 30th minute gave Gregg Berhalter’s men a glimmer of hope. One of those passes found the foot of Hugo Cuypers who, along with Philip Zinckernagel, assisted on Jonathan Bamba’s opening goal.
The lead lasted just seven minutes as Omar Valencia put a ball into the box that found forward Ngoma for his first goal of the season. The equalizer put Chicago back on the defensive and gave New York a bit more vigor to close out the half. Dylan Nealis was brought down in the box heading into stoppage time, sending the new veteran striker Choupo-Moting to the spot. He converted with confidence, giving Red Bulls the lead and the win on the night.
Chicago didn’t go quietly into the second half. They adjusted well, holding the ball more and showing a more dangerous posture. Heading into the closing minutes, goalkeeper Carlos Coronel sprung into action, making important stops to keep the game level. As New York regrouped with substitutes like Dennis Gjengaar and a Wiktor Bogacz, the Fire pushed on but were unable to find the clinical moment to get a point from the fixture.
New York remains undefeated at Sports Illustrated Stadium in 2025, increasing their record to 3-2-2 overall and 3-0-1 at home. Next the team will take to the road to play Orlando City SC in Florida next Saturday afternoon.
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; D. Nealis, Eile, Parker, Ngoma (69′ Gjengaar), Carballo (76′ Stroud), Edelman, Valencia, Sofo (69′ Carmona), Choupo-Moting (87′ Bogacz), Forsberg (87′ S. Nealis)
Chicago Fire FC: Brady; Reynolds (61′ Glasgow), Rogers (37′ Gonzalez), Teran, Gutman (84′ Haile-Selassie), Acosta (61′ Barlow), Oregel, Kouame (62′ Pineda), Zinckernagel, Cuypers, Bamba
SCORING SUMMARY:
33′ (Chicago Fire FC) Jonathan Bamba (1) assisted by Philip Zinckernagel & Hugo Cuypers
41′ (New York Red Bulls) Serge Ngoma (1) assisted by Omar Valencia & Noah Eile
45′ (New York Red Bulls) Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (2) PK
DISCIPLINE:
photo by Jordan Bank