Chicago Fire FC 3, New York City FC 4 | 2020 MLS Match Recap

Valentin Castellanos' goal with less than 15 minutes remaining lifted New York City FC to a 4-3 win over Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon. The loss eliminated the Fire from Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs contention.

With Chicago needing a win to advance to the playoffs, NYCFC took the lead at the quarter-hour mark on a corner kick routine, as a well-timed header from Alexander Callens deflected off Bobby Shuttleworth and into the net. The lead doubled as Gary Mackay-Steven finished from an odd angle with Shuttleworth pulled away from his net, but Robert Beric made it 2-1 on a free header that sailed past Sean Johnson.

NYC restored its 2-goal lead, though, on a pretty left-footed strike by Jesus Medina in the 37th to make it 3-1. But a pair of rapid-fire tallies by Przymeslaw Frankowski before the end of the half turned the match on its head as it was 3-3 at the break.

The 2nd half lacked the action of the 1st, but NYC regained its lead in the 77th as a poor Chicago giveaway turned into a Castellanos goal that stood as the match-winner and the death blow to the Fire's playoff hopes.