Fans claim MLS is a ‘fake league’ as Chicago Fire score impossible stoppage-time winner from own half

Fans are all saying the same thing after the Chicago Fire netted an astonishing late winner against CF Montreal.

On Saturday, Kellyn Acosta netted a wind-aided winner from inside his own half deep in second-half stoppage time to help the Chicago Fire to a stunning 4-3 comeback victory over visiting Montreal.

Chicago were 3-1 down when Montreal substitute Raheem Edwards was shown red in the 82nd minute, a moment that proved to be a turning point in a topsy-turvy game.

Brian Gutierrez made it 3-2 from the spot minutes before Hugo Cuypers dramatically levelled proceedings in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

And four minutes later, in the ninth minute of additional time, Acosta lumped an aimless pass up the pitch from his own half, only for the bending ball to be picked up by a hefty lakefront wind and carried over the outstretched arms of Montreal keeper Jonathan Sirois.

The ball bounced into the net, setting off wild celebrations on the pitch, and drawing an enormous reaction on social media.

One person on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter: “I am convinced that this is not a real league.”

THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT THE WINDY CITY

Stoppage-time scenes in Chicago! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/8vZQppXIHL

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 16, 2024

Another added: “Ban this league.”

A third said: “I don't think that's how the ball is supposed to move.”

While alluding to Chicago's reputation as ‘the windy city’ a fourth added: “This is the best execution of home advantage.”

The game’s surreal finish overshadowed a first half that saw Montreal net two first-half penalties courtesy of Matias Coccaro before Dominik Yankov added a third in the 70th minute.

Chicago netted themselves on the cusp of halftime through Maren Haile-Selassie.