The New York Red Bulls rallied back for a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC on Saturday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Serge Ngoma's first goal of the seaosn in his first start of the season brought the game back even. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting converted from the spot for the eventual game-winning goal.
"Concede the first goal, and after that, it was a very, very good reaction," Head Coach Sandro Schwarz said. "Very, very good deep runs, very, very good box positions."
For their first goal, Noah Eile played a through ball into the path of Omar Valencia, who whipped in a cross into Chicago’s eighteen-yard box and Ngoma headed attempt found the back of the net.
"As everyone knows, I've struggled with injury from one to another," Ngoma said. "It has definitely been a long road to get back to this point of starting the match. It is a blessing to continue to fight, but I am just thankful that I can and that the coaches had faith to put me into the game from the beginning. I am proud of myself."
The Red Bulls took the lead in the second minute of first half stoppage time, when Dylan Nealis made a forward run and got taken down in the box earning New York a penalty kick. Choupo-Moting stepped up and converted the attempt.
Carlos Coronel made five saves on the night.
Ngoma, who made his first start of the season, scored his first MLS goal of the year and the fourth of his MLS career. Ngoma became the sixth teenager in MLS history to score at least four goals within his first 400 regular season minutes.
Valencia tallied his second MLS assist of the season. His two assists on the season ranks tied for fourth among active MLS defenders this year.
Choupo-Moting scored his third MLS goal of the season and now has tallied a goal contribution in four-straight matches. His four-match streak of goal contributions is the longest for a New York player since 2023.
"We were not happy with how we played last week, and we made that clear in training and in our conversations afterward," Tim Parker said. "We needed to show a response tonight — and I think we did that."
The Red Bulls have won three of their first four home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium to begin a season, which is only the fourth time since the stadium opened in 2010 that has been accomplished.
New York have earned 488 points at home since 2010, which is the most in MLS during that timespan.
New York heads to Inter&Co Stadium to take on Orlando City SC on Saturday, April 12. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish and New York Red Bulls Radio presented by Sports Illustrated in English via the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com.
