Fire denied continuation of winning streak by Red Bulls equalizer

Field Level Media|published: Sat 22nd August, 22:02 2026 Aug 22, 2026; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Jonathan Bamba (19) battle for the ball against Red Bull New York defense Dylan Nealis (12) in the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Maren Haile-Selassie scored in the 38th minute, but the surging Chicago Fire conceded a late goal and settled for a 1-1 draw with the slumping New York Red Bulls Saturday night in Harrison, N.J.

Chicago (11-6-3, 36 points) was denied its fourth straight MLS win and seventh straight victory across all competitions when it blew the late lead.

Haile-Selassie scored for the first time in his past eight MLS matches when he struck for the first time since May 13 after his teammates easily moved the ball up the field.

Phillip Zinckernagel blocked New York’s Julian Hall’s right-footed shot from slightly outside the box in the 36th and the defensive play started the transition into offense. Chicago found plenty of open space during its move.

Jonathan Bamba crossed midfield and passed to Viktor Radojevic at the outer edge of the box.

While New York’s Dylan Nealis struggled to defend the play, Radojevic spotted Haile-Selassie at the left side. Haile-Selassie finished it off with a right-footed shot over goalie Ethan Horvath.

Yet the Red Bulls kept themselves in it by pressing the attack.

Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady made five saves before conceding a tying goal to Cameron Harper in the 86th. He preserved the slim lead by denying Omar Valencia in the 73rd minute and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the 79th. Choupo-Moting was denied two minutes after Haile-Selassie missed the net on a right-footed shot.

Chicago lost its shutout bid when Harper scored on a header by finishing off a feed from Choupo-Moting in the center of the box. It was Harper’s first goal since May 31, 2025 against Atlanta.

Horvath made four saves and denied Bamba in the 54th and 71st minutes.

The Red Bulls (7-9-5, 26 points) improved to 1-4-1 in their past six matches and avoided getting blanked for the sixth time this season.

–Field Level Media

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