Chicago Holds Off Late Rockford Rally in North Conference Matchup

Photo: Daniel Bartel

CHICAGO, Illinois, December 29, 2025 - The Chicago Mustangs defeated the Rockford Thunder, 8–6, in a North Conference matchup of Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS) on Saturday. Chicago built a four-goal advantage through three quarters and withstood a late Rockford surge to secure the win.

Rockford opened the scoring at 2:20 of the first quarter when Mauricio Campos converted off a pass from Santiago Patinho. Chicago responded less than two minutes later with an equalizer from Alejandro Morales, sending the teams into the break tied 1–1.

Chicago took control in the second quarter with three unanswered goals. Gabriel Uno converted a penalty shot at 12:12 to give Chicago the lead. Dario Gamboa and Morales added even-strength goals to extend the advantage to 4–1 at halftime.

Rockford cut the deficit to 4–2 early in the third through Diego Bolanos, but Chicago answered with goals from Alex Filian and Jose Matute to lead 6–2 entering the fourth quarter.

Rockford mounted a comeback in the final period. Bolanos scored again at 9:24, followed by goals from Patinho and Campos to close the margin to 6–5 with just over six minutes remaining. Chicago responded on the power play when Jorge Ochoa scored at 4:44 to make it 7–5. Gamboa added a shorthanded goal with 18 seconds left before Campos completed his hat trick for Rockford with four seconds remaining.

Campos led all scorers with three goals for Rockford. Morales and Gamboa each scored twice for Chicago.

Rockford outshot Chicago 21–15, including a 7–3 advantage in the fourth quarter. Chicago improved to 8–6 with the win, while Rockford dropped to 6–8.

The match included multiple penalties, with both teams receiving blue and yellow cards in the third and fourth quarters. Senior referee Ryan Eckart officiated the match, which began at 7:30 p.m. and concluded at 9:45 p.m.