Acosta sends Chicago Fire FC to late 4-3 victory over CF Montreal
CF Montréal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois, left, reaches for a high ball with Chicago Fire's Thomas Barlow during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Matt Marton
CHICAGO — Kellyn Acosta scored from beyond midfield at the 99th minute on a misplayed ball by the keeper and Chicago Fire FC completed a stunning 4-3 comeback win over CF Montreal for its first win of the season on Saturday.
With a strong wind off Lake Michigan, Acosta, a recent free agent pickup, lofted the ball following a Montreal clear. Jonathan Sirois ran to cover but came in too far under it and his desperate attempt to haul it in bounced off his outstretched hands and rolled into the goal.
Montreal posted leads of 2-0 and 3-1 and seemed on the verge of securing its 10th point in four road games to start the season before Chicago rallied and Montreal cratered.
Raheem Edwards, a former member of the Fire (1-2-1), was shown a red card in the 82nd minute and sent off. Brian Gutiérrez converted the penalty going to the right as Sirois dove left, reducing the deficit to a goal.
At the 95th minute, Hugo Cuypers knotted it at 3 when he found the high center of the goal from the left side of the box. Carlos Terán was credited with the assist off a header following a corner.
Matías Cóccaro scored two early goals on penalty kicks at the seventh and 12th minute for a 2-0 Montreal lead.
Maren Haile-Selassie got the Fire on the board at the eighth minute of stoppage time in the first half.
CF Montréal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois, left, reaches for a high ball with Chicago Fire's Thomas Barlow during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Matt Marton
Dominik Yankov appeared to have cemented it for Montreal (2-1-1) when he found the bottom left corner off an assist by Josef Martínez for a 3-1 lead in the 70th minute.
