BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – On what proved to be a wholly miserable 4-0 loss of a night for the Chicago Fire, it was perhaps a telling moment that Bastian Schweinsteiger evoked the most vocal reaction from a largely shell-shocked and subdued crowd at Toyota Park.
The German’s arrival in place of the injured Djordje Mihailovic in the 65th minute got a greeting marked by the expected gusto of a team and fanbase seeking any hope. At that point, they were still just 2-0 down to a team, in the New York Red Bulls, who seemed intent on maintaining their advantage at all costs.