TORONTO — The Chicago Fire's craziest week of the season off the field was followed up by one of its craziest nights on it.
There were eight goals scored when the Men in Red took on Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday; four of them were for each team. Both sides' offensive star power proved too much for the defenses to handle, and the back-and-forth affair ended 4-4.
Heading to the northern shores shores of Lake Ontario to close out a four-match road swing in MLS play, Gregg Berhalter opted for the same 4-3-3 base shape that has largely been effective over the last month. The use of a 4-4-2 out of possession was intended to counter a similar shape from Toronto, who used Djordje Mihailovic just under Josh Sargent.
Maren Haile-Selassie started in central midfield as the more advanced of the two center players in front of Djé D'Avilla. It was the Fire's so-called "Swiss Army Knife" – playing yet another different position – who had the game's first goal. Haile-Selassie was completely unmarked outside the penalty box on a corner kick, and his deflected shot off of Walker Zimmerman crept into the net for his third straight MLS game with a goal.
Though the Fire started well, Sargent gave them one quite frightening moment. The striker had a headed opportunity from practically on the goal line, but Chris Brady intervened to swipe the ball away at the last moment. The danger was a sign of things to come.
Sargent wasn't done, and a few minutes later, capitalized on some lackluster defending. Jack Elliott lost his mark on the U.S. international, who got in behind and leveled the game. A excellent lobbed assist from ex-Fire homegrown Mihailovic made the goal happen, but the misstep from Elliott left Sargent with a simple finish.
Robert Lewandowski's biggest chance of the half saw him find an inch of space from well inside the penalty box. The stadium held its breath, expected it to roar into the goal, but instead, it flashed wide. Five minutes later, Sargent punished the Fire again making it 2-1.
After the second Toronto goal, the Fire found themselves trying to survive until halftime. Sargent nearly made things even worse for them as he bore down on goal in the 42nd minute; Sam Rogers, already on a yellow card, lunged in and gave away a free kick, and was extremely fortunate not to be given a second yellow. The ensuing missed shot kept things 2-1 and 11 vs. 11 at halftime.
That incident prompted Berhalter to take Rogers off at halftime and hand new acquisition Noah Allen to slot in at left center back. The Fire instantly tied it, with Zimmerman once again having the final touch on an opposing goal.
Sargent wasn't done, and completed his hat trick with his best goal of the night: a long distance blast that allowed Toronto to re-take the lead in the 54th minute. It was Sargent's first hat trick in MLS.
The Fire responded in rapid fashion, again through Haile-Selassie. Although goalkeeper Luka Gavran charged off him line to prevent Lewandowski from meeting a header, the ensuing loose ball landed at the feet of the Swiss winger, who only had to make a simple finish into an empty net to tie things up at three apiece.
The game was only level for five minutes. This time, Lewandowski scored the goal himself, capitalizing on an incredible dummy from Haile-Selassie in the six-yard box to arrive late for a simple finish. It's the third straight MLS start with a goal for the Pole, who really seems to be coming into his own now after some time to gel with his new teammates.
Zimmerman – after being directly responsible for multiple Fire goals – had an 89th minute chance to level the game late. His header was weak, and easily saved by Brady to keep the game 4-3.
Toronto's pressure eventually paid off, and in the 92nd minute, Derrick Etienne Jr. provided the final dagger to ensure the home team secured a point. The Fire struggled to contain a counter attack, and the Haiti international scored for the second time in three games.
With the draw in the Six, the Fire are now six games unbeaten in MLS. Due to New England's loss, the Fire sit in 3rd place but are still a few points behind Inter Miami in 2nd; those two teams will meet next on Wednesday as Lionel Messi and Co. come to Soldier Field.
Starting XI (4-3-3) – Brady (6); Gutman (6), Elliott (5), Rogers (5.5), Dean (6); Haile-Selassie (8.5), D'Avilla (7.5), Salétros (7); Dithejane (6), Lewandowski (7.5), Zinckernagel (7)
Substitutes – Allen (7.5), Lod (7.5), Pineda (5), Oregel Jr. (NR), Gómez (NR)
