BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Veljko Paunovic promised the Chicago Fire fans a winning end to their home schedule, and despite going a man down early in the second half, his side came up trumps with an impressive 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution.
Goals in either half from Michael de Leeuw and man-of-the-match David Accam spurred the Fire to a deserved victory. It was one that first-year coach Paunovic had hoped to give the fans to thank them for sticking by the team throughout a disappointing season.
Paunovic was brought in as Frank Yallop’s replacement ahead of the 2016 season, and with his arrival came a renewed sense of hope, as well as a belief that he could return the Fire to playoff contention for the first time since 2012.