A week after a win at SeatGeek gave the Chicago Fire a winning record at home for the first time this season and sent the team ahead of one New York team in the standings, the Fire looked to repeat the feat, facing New York City FC, a team that was just two points ahead of the Fire in MLS's Eastern Conference. In a true six-point match, a win would send the Fire ahead of New York City into eighth place of the standings ahead of the visiting team.

It started off right for the Fire, but ultimately, strong defending from New York City FC – one of the best defensive teams in the league this season – stymied the Fire’s potent offense. The defeat gives New York City a ten game advantage in the all-time series, sending the Pigeons five points clear of Chicago. The Fire's position in the ninth, however, as the Red Bulls were handed a 2-1 defeat in Portland. The Timbers first win since July gives the Fire a temporary reprieve but the defeat at home still adds more questions about the Fire's ability to finish above the line at the end of the season.

Berhalter made only one change in the lineup that defeated New England last week by a 3-2 score, giving Joel Waterman his Fire debut four days after he had a second-half stoppage time cameo for the Canadian Men’s National Team. Right-back Leonardo Barroso was expected to be available and was a likely starter after returning from the Portugal U-21s, but was listed as injured Friday night – a surprise as indications the day prior was that he’d be able to return to the pitch following international duty.

From kickoff the lines from Monday’s Bears game at Soldier Field strongly visible, the Bears got off to a strong start, despite the poor pitch conditions, with patching work done ahead of the NFL game – when issues with the freshly-laid sod were apparent ahead of Monday’s action – not holding up.

The Fire got off to a strong start with, holding the majority of the pressure early, but didn’t get a shot off until the 10th minute, when Hugo Cuypers did well and received a long ball from Jonathan Bamba, playing through pressure to move centrally. With Brian Gutiérrez and other reinforcements trailing but yet to arrive, Cuypers had little choice but a solo effort, which was easily handled by New York’s Matt Freese.

It was a harbinger of what was coming, however. Just three minutes later, Brian Gutiérrez drove the forward with the ball from the midfield, laying off a pass to Philip Zinckernagel inside the box. Zinckernagel shot it past Freese, who was stuck in place with both Cuypers and Bamba unmarked in the box, putting the Fire up 1-0.

After the goal, however, New York started waking up, getting their first shot – a mirror image of the Fire’s first – from Tayvon Gray on the restart. Realizing that the Fire were pushing numbers forward, the visitors began playing fast on counters and before the half, found their equalizer.

Springing an overload on the Fire’s left, Kevin O’Tool laid off a perfectly-timed cross to Nicolás Fernández, giving him a simple tap-in for his first goal in MLS. Equalizing the score at 1-1, the visitors continued to press more than the Fire in the dying minutes of the half but the teams returned to their locker rooms level.

The half was physical, especially on the part of New York, who had the lion’s share of the fouls called on the pitch, but only New York’s Aidan O'Neil was given a caution in the opening frame.

On the restart, with no changes made by either side, the Fire sustained an early New York attack before regaining possession, before recovering and getting off a shot from distance in the first minute of the second half.

The next two shots were New York’s, though, and with the visitors holding the balance of momentum, Gregg Berhalter was the first to his bench, taking off André Franco – his second MLS start being notably less noteworthy than his first – for Sergio Oregel Jr. In the 55th minute.

The Fire didn’t get an immediate payoff for the change.

Two minutes after the substitution, New York won a corner and a lobbing high ball made its way down to Alonso Martínez who was left unmarked on the far side of the box. With the Fire’s Djé D’Avilla trying to close the distance, the Costa Rican hit it on a half volley sending New York ahead 2-1 with the wind at the visitor’s backs.

Not long after the goal, however, the Fire regained some control of the game, working their way into the New York box. Time and time again, however, the attack slowed as it neared any place of true danger and New York City was able to prevent the Fire’s entries from yielding shots – let alone real scoring chances.

In second half stoppage time, New York added a final dagger, with Seymour Reid adding a third goal, sealing the result for the visitors.

As a result, New York City are now five points ahead of the Chicago Fire, sinking Inter Miami (who hold two games in hand over New York and three over the Fire) to the eight place spot above Chicago. With the Fire's record at home back to a level 5W-5D-5L, the team returns on the road to look for revenge against Minnesota United FC next Saturday.

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