MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Rally Late To Earn 2-2 Draw With San Jose Earthquakes

Published on May 28, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL - A scoreless first half was followed by a triage of second half goals as the Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes played to another 2-2 draw Saturday night at Toyota Park, following a similar scoreline on Tuesday night in U.S. Open Cup play in Santa Clara, CA.

The Fire almost found themselves up early in the sixth minute. Defender Gonzalo Segares broke up the left before sending a cross through the box that was deflected out to Diego Chaves at the top of the area. The Uruguayan striker carried the ball and beat two defenders as he traversed to the right side of the box before firing a shot which beat goalkeeper Jon Busch, only to clang off of both posts.

Despite holding most of the possession to end the half, the Fire went into the locker room in a scoreless deadlock with the visitors.

The Earthquakes made a valuable halftime substitution, bringing on Anthony Ampaipitakwong for Joey Gjertsen, whose productivity was felt just four minutes after stepping onto the field as the rookie midfielder swung in an early second half corner from the right that winger Ramiro Corrales headed to the back post, beating Sean Johnson and putting the ‘Quakes ahead 1-0 in the 49th minute.

Down a goal, the Fire answered within 10 minutes with good combination play on the left between Dominic Oduro and Chaves. The Uruguayan broke towards the goal before slotting a pass to Colombian striker Cristian Nazarit whose shot was deflected before again careening off of both posts. The speedy Oduro broke into the box and opportunely tapped in the equalizer from close range in the 57th minute.

With the equalizer, San Jose picked up the possession with a few half chances to find another goal. The go-ahead goal came through good combination play on the right between Ampaipitakwong and Corrales before the rookie again crossed, finding the head of Chris Wondolowski who sent his glancing effort to Johnson's back post, putting San Jose back on top in the 74th minute.

Fire manager Carlos de los Cobos inserted midfielder Baggio Husidic into the match shortly after the goal and the move paid immediate dividends as a combo between he and Marco Pappa on the right led to his cross which found the diving head of Cory Gibbs, whose header towards the near post tucked just past a diving Busch, to pull the Fire level at 2-2 in the 80th minute.

Spurred by the equalizer, the Fire pushed for the late winner, with the best chance coming from a served ball from midfield by captain Logan Pause, which Busch had to come far off his line to punch away to safety in the 85th minute.

The Fire next clash with Seattle Sounders FC at TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. CT (CSN). Chicago Fire Season Tickets, which include a ticket to the Chicago Fire - Manchester United match at Soldier Field, are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), or by heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 28, 2011


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