Chicago Fire overturn Atlanta’s lead to win 3-2

Chicago Fire completed a comeback from an early deficit to beat Atlanta United FC 3-2 in Major League Soccer’s Regular Season - 31 at Atlanta Stadium. The match was 1-1 at half-time before Chicago scored twice after the interval and held on.

Saletros starts the turnaround

Atlanta opened the scoring in the 4th minute when Tomás Jacob made it 1-0, assisted by Miguel Almirón. Chicago levelled in the 30th minute through Anton Saletros, leaving the teams tied 1-1 at the break.

The visitors reversed the scoreline in the second half. Anzor Mekvabishvili put Chicago ahead at 51', making it 1-2, and Philip Zinckernagel extended the lead to 1-3 in the 60th minute, with Saletros providing the assist. Breel Embolo reduced the deficit to 2-3 for Atlanta at 67', assisted by Elías Báez, but that was the final goal.

Chicago had the greater share of play

Chicago controlled 61% of possession and recorded 12 total shots to Atlanta’s 8. The visitors also completed 382 accurate passes compared with Atlanta’s 322. Atlanta’s expected-goals figure was higher, however, at 0.61 to Chicago’s 0.44, underlining a contrast between chance quality and the final score.

Seven yellow cards were shown: Atlanta received three and Chicago four. Mekvabishvili was booked at 79' after scoring, while late cautions also went to Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Johan Arath Gomez and Junior Alonso.

Chicago strengthens its position

Chicago’s standout performer was Anton Saletros, rated 8.6 after one goal, one assist and three key passes in 33 minutes. Chicago moved from 48 points before the match to 51 and was provisionally fourth in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta remained on 30 points, fell to 8W 6D 17L, and was provisionally 14th. The teams’ points gap therefore grew from 18 to 21.