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Futmetrix Verdict
37
FT
Sat, Aug 22
New York Red Bulls
1-1
Chicago Fire
⚡ Intensity 20
⚖️ Balance 40
🏆 Stakes 44
🎲 Upset 30
Late Harper heroics rescue Red Bulls.

Win Probability

  • New York Red Bulls 35%
  • Draw 24%
  • Chicago Fire 41%

Futmetrix AI estimate

Late Harper Heroics Rescue Faltering Red Bulls

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 37/100. A dramatic late equalizer salvaged a crucial point for a struggling New York side, denying high-flying Chicago what looked like a guaranteed road victory.

The Chicago Breakthrough

The Stakes were unmistakably high as the New York Red Bulls hosted a confident Chicago Fire squad at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The home side, reeling from a dismal run of recent form, started tentatively, allowing the visitors to dictate the early tempo. Chicago, sitting comfortably in fourth place, played with the swagger of a team expecting all three points. Their patience paid dividends in the 38th minute. A well-orchestrated move saw V. Radojevic carve open the New York defense with a precise delivery, finding M. Haile-Selassie in prime real estate. The finish was clinical, putting the Fire ahead and casting a familiar cloud of frustration over the home supporters. This opening half left serious doubts about the home team's ability to bounce back.

Desperation Mounts

Coming out for the second half, the Balance of play began to shift as desperation set in for the hosts. Staring down the barrel of another demoralizing defeat, New York started committing more bodies forward. Chicago opted to absorb the pressure, relying on their defensive organization to protect a narrow lead. The tactical chess match turned the field into a grinding battle for midfield supremacy. Every challenge was fiercely contested, with the crowd urging the Red Bulls to find a spark. Despite their mounting territorial advantage, New York struggled to find that elusive final pass, frequently hitting a brick wall against a resolute Chicago backline. The visitors seemed perfectly content to grind out a gritty 1-0 win on the road, weathering the storm minute by minute.

A Point Snatched

Just as the visitors started checking the stadium clock, the Intensity reached a boiling point in the 85th minute. New York threw caution to the wind, finally finding the breakthrough they desperately craved. Veteran forward E. M. Choupo-Moting showed excellent awareness, laying off a perfect pass for C. Harper. Harper unleashed a dramatic strike that rippled the back of the net, sending the home fans into a frenzy and breaking Chicago hearts. This late equalizer completely erased the Upset script Chicago had written for the evening. The 1-1 draw forces the Fire to settle for a single point, while providing the Red Bulls with a desperately needed morale boost in their fight to climb back up the standings.

Key Questions

Did New York Red Bulls deserve the late equalizer?

Yes, their relentless pressure in the second half finally cracked Chicago's stubborn defense, proving their resilience when the game was completely on the line.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
48%
52%
New York Red Bulls 48%
Chicago Fire 52%
Shots
8
8
New York Red Bulls 8
Chicago Fire 8
Shots on Target
6
5
New York Red Bulls 6
Chicago Fire 5
Expected Goals (xG)
0.63
0.96
New York Red Bulls 0.63
Chicago Fire 0.96
Passes
507
543
New York Red Bulls 507
Chicago Fire 543
Corners
3
2
New York Red Bulls 3
Chicago Fire 2
Fouls
10
10
New York Red Bulls 10
Chicago Fire 10
Yellow Cards
1
2
New York Red Bulls 1
Chicago Fire 2
Red Cards
0
0
New York Red Bulls 0
Chicago Fire 0

Match Events

L. Barroso 🟨 17'
M. Haile-Selassie (V. Radojevic) 38'
HT
46' 🔄 M. Dos Santos J. Marshall-Rutty
46' 🔄 M. Jimenez J. Ruvalcaba
46' 🔄 C. Cowell M. Sofo
56' 🔄 D. Nealis O. Valencia
57' 🔄 E. Forsberg E. M. Choupo-Moting
J. Waterman 🟨 64'
P. Zinckernagel R. Lewandowski 🔄 65'
S. Williams A. Saletros 🔄 65'
66' 🟨 M. Sofo
V. Radojevic J. Dean 🔄 77'
85' C. Harper (E. M. Choupo-Moting)
85' 🔄 J. Hall C. Harper
M. Pineda D. D'Avilla 🔄 86'
R. Lod J. Elliott 🔄 87'
J. Bamba P. Dithejane 🔄 87'
FT

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
05/09/2026 Chicago Fire 1 - 3 New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer Soldier Field
07/27/2025 Chicago Fire 1 - 0 New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer Soldier Field
04/05/2025 New York Red Bulls 2 - 1 Chicago Fire Major League Soccer Sports Illustrated Stadium
09/15/2024 Chicago Fire 2 - 1 New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer Soldier Field
04/13/2024 New York Red Bulls 0 - 0 Chicago Fire Major League Soccer Red Bull Arena
01/27/2024 Chicago Fire 2 - 2 New York Red Bulls Friendlies Clubs IMG Soccer Academy
09/30/2023 New York Red Bulls 0 - 1 Chicago Fire Major League Soccer Red Bull Arena
04/30/2023 Chicago Fire 1 - 1 New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer Soldier Field
05/18/2022 New York Red Bulls 3 - 3 Chicago Fire Major League Soccer Red Bull Arena
05/01/2022 Chicago Fire 1 - 2 New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer Soldier Field
05/09/2026
Major League Soccer Soldier Field
07/27/2025
Major League Soccer Soldier Field
04/05/2025
Major League Soccer Sports Illustrated Stadium
09/15/2024
Major League Soccer Soldier Field
04/13/2024
Major League Soccer Red Bull Arena
01/27/2024
Friendlies Clubs IMG Soccer Academy
09/30/2023
Major League Soccer Red Bull Arena
04/30/2023
Major League Soccer Soldier Field
05/18/2022
Major League Soccer Red Bull Arena
05/01/2022
Major League Soccer Soldier Field
New York Red Bulls Win
Chicago Fire Win
Draw

League Standings

Pos Team P Pts GF GA GD Form
1 Nashville SC 18 42 37 14 +23 WNashville SC 3 - 2 Columbus Crew (23-08-2026)WNew York Red Bulls 0 - 1 Nashville SC (19-08-2026)WNashville SC 4 - 1 Inter Miami (16-08-2026)DDC United 2 - 2 Nashville SC (01-08-2026)LOrlando City SC 1 - 0 Nashville SC (25-07-2026)
2 New England Revolution 18 31 30 20 +10 DNew England Revolution 1 - 1 New York City FC (23-08-2026)WDC United 0 - 3 New England Revolution (19-08-2026)LToronto FC 2 - 1 New England Revolution (15-08-2026)DCF Montreal 2 - 2 New England Revolution (01-08-2026)WNew England Revolution 4 - 1 Atlanta United FC (25-07-2026)
3 Chicago Fire 17 30 29 23 +6 DNew York Red Bulls 1 - 1 Chicago Fire (22-08-2026)WOrlando City SC 1 - 2 Chicago Fire (19-08-2026)WChicago Fire 2 - 1 Charlotte (02-08-2026)LNew York City FC 3 - 1 Chicago Fire (25-07-2026)LInter Miami 3 - 2 Chicago Fire (22-07-2026)
4 Inter Miami 16 29 40 33 +7 LInter Miami 1 - 2 Toronto FC (22-08-2026)DPhiladelphia Union 2 - 2 Inter Miami (19-08-2026)LNashville SC 4 - 1 Inter Miami (16-08-2026)DInter Miami 2 - 2 Columbus Crew (01-08-2026)WCF Montreal 0 - 1 Inter Miami (25-07-2026)
5 Charlotte 18 28 34 27 +7 WCharlotte 3 - 1 DC United (22-08-2026)DToronto FC 3 - 3 Charlotte (19-08-2026)WCharlotte 3 - 1 Columbus Crew (15-08-2026)LChicago Fire 2 - 1 Charlotte (02-08-2026)WNew York Red Bulls 0 - 2 Charlotte (25-07-2026)
6 FC Cincinnati 16 23 37 37 0 WFC Cincinnati 2 - 1 New York City FC (19-08-2026)DOrlando City SC 1 - 1 FC Cincinnati (15-08-2026)LColumbus Crew 2 - 1 FC Cincinnati (25-07-2026)WFC Cincinnati 6 - 2 Orlando City SC (23-05-2026)LFC Cincinnati 3 - 5 Inter Miami (13-05-2026)
7 New York Red Bulls 19 23 29 40 -11 DNew York Red Bulls 1 - 1 Chicago Fire (22-08-2026)LNew York Red Bulls 0 - 1 Nashville SC (19-08-2026)LAtlanta United FC 2 - 1 New York Red Bulls (15-08-2026)WNew York Red Bulls 3 - 2 Orlando City SC (01-08-2026)LNew York Red Bulls 0 - 2 Charlotte (25-07-2026)
8 New York City FC 17 22 30 25 +5 DNew England Revolution 1 - 1 New York City FC (23-08-2026)LFC Cincinnati 2 - 1 New York City FC (19-08-2026)LNew York City FC 2 - 3 Philadelphia Union (16-08-2026)DNew York City FC 1 - 1 Toronto FC (31-07-2026)WNew York City FC 3 - 1 Chicago Fire (25-07-2026)
9 DC United 17 22 26 29 -3 LCharlotte 3 - 1 DC United (22-08-2026)LDC United 0 - 3 New England Revolution (19-08-2026)DCF Montreal 1 - 1 DC United (15-08-2026)DDC United 2 - 2 Nashville SC (01-08-2026)WDC United 2 - 1 Toronto FC (25-07-2026)
10 Toronto FC 16 19 22 25 -3 WInter Miami 1 - 2 Toronto FC (22-08-2026)DToronto FC 3 - 3 Charlotte (19-08-2026)WToronto FC 2 - 1 New England Revolution (15-08-2026)DNew York City FC 1 - 1 Toronto FC (31-07-2026)LDC United 2 - 1 Toronto FC (25-07-2026)
11 CF Montreal 18 19 25 30 -5 WColumbus Crew 1 - 2 CF Montreal (19-08-2026)DCF Montreal 1 - 1 DC United (15-08-2026)DCF Montreal 2 - 2 New England Revolution (01-08-2026)LCF Montreal 0 - 1 Inter Miami (25-07-2026)LNashville SC 1 - 0 CF Montreal (23-07-2026)
12 Orlando City SC 17 18 28 43 -15 LOrlando City SC 1 - 2 Chicago Fire (19-08-2026)DOrlando City SC 1 - 1 FC Cincinnati (15-08-2026)LNew York Red Bulls 3 - 2 Orlando City SC (01-08-2026)WOrlando City SC 1 - 0 Nashville SC (25-07-2026)LFC Cincinnati 6 - 2 Orlando City SC (23-05-2026)
13 Philadelphia Union 18 17 29 36 -7 DPhiladelphia Union 2 - 2 Inter Miami (19-08-2026)WNew York City FC 2 - 3 Philadelphia Union (16-08-2026)WPhiladelphia Union 3 - 2 Atlanta United FC (01-08-2026)WPhiladelphia Union 3 - 1 New York Red Bulls (22-07-2026)LInter Miami 6 - 4 Philadelphia Union (24-05-2026)
14 Columbus Crew 17 16 22 27 -5 LNashville SC 3 - 2 Columbus Crew (23-08-2026)LColumbus Crew 1 - 2 CF Montreal (19-08-2026)LCharlotte 3 - 1 Columbus Crew (15-08-2026)DInter Miami 2 - 2 Columbus Crew (01-08-2026)WColumbus Crew 2 - 1 FC Cincinnati (25-07-2026)
15 Atlanta United FC 16 15 18 27 -9 WAtlanta United FC 2 - 1 New York Red Bulls (15-08-2026)LPhiladelphia Union 3 - 2 Atlanta United FC (01-08-2026)LNew England Revolution 4 - 1 Atlanta United FC (25-07-2026)DCharlotte 2 - 2 Atlanta United FC (23-07-2026)LNashville SC 1 - 0 Atlanta United FC (18-07-2026)

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