The New England Revolution opened the 2021 MLS season with a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Saturday night.
Chicago scored twice within the game’s opening 11 minutes, but New England responded with goals from Adam Buksa and Gustavo Bou in the 14th and 27th minutes, respectively, to secure a point on the road.
All four of the Revolution’s starting attacking players got on the scoresheet in Saturday’s match. Buksa connected with a corner kick from Carles Gil to cut the Revolution’s deficit in half, beating Fire FC goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth with a headed shot. The 6-foot-3 forward paced the team with four shots and two shots on target. Gil registered his first assist of the season and the 17th of his MLS career. New England’s captain led the club with five chances created and three fouls won.
Later in the first half, Bou and Tajon Buchanan combined for the game-tying goal, with the latter assisting the former. Bou carried his form from last season’s MLS Cup Playoffs – where he scored three times across four games – into the season opener. Buchanan saw time on both wings and contributed two shots, including one on target, as well as one chance created and two fouls won.