The Chicago Fire followed up last week’s massive road win with a solid 2-2 home draw against a dangerous Western Conference opponent in the LA Galaxy.
The visiting side broke the scoreless draw when Jelle Van Damme intercepted a pass right around midfield and made an ambitious run into the attacking box in the 31st minute. The Belgian then headed down a cross that deflected off a defender and fell to the feet of Gyasi Zardes who coolly buried his sixth MLS goal of 2016.
The Fire did not waste much time getting back into the match. They quickly equalized thanks to an Arturo Alvarez finish off a rebound in the 34th minute and took a lead into halftime when David Accam slotted home a penalty awarded after a Van Damme misplaced tackle attempt.
Substitute Giovani dos Santos got the Galaxy level after entering in the second half, finding the back of the net following a slick combination with fellow reserve Alan Gordon.
Both clubs had chances to find a winner in the closing minutes of the 90 but after some near-misses for each side, the spoils were eventually shared in an entertaining affair.
LA Galaxy Postgame Notes
LA Galaxy 2, Chicago Fire 2
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016
2016 MLS Regular Season
Toyota Park – Bridgeview, Illinois
Scoring Summary:
- LA – Gyasi Zardes 31’
- CHI – Arturo Alvarez 34’
- CHI – David Accam (penalty) 39’
- LA – Giovani dos Santos (Assisted by Alan Gordon, Sebastian Lletget) 69’
Misconduct Summary:
- LA – Jelle Van Damme (caution) 38'
- LA – Sebastian Lletget (caution) 71’
- LA – Baggio Husidic (caution) 76’
- CHI – David Accam (caution) 90’+3
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Clement Diop; A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme ©, Dave Romney (Ashley Cole 85’); Jeff Larentowicz (Giovani dos Santos 60’), Baggio Husidic; Sebastian Lletget, Mike Magee, Emmanuel Boateng (Alan Gordon 66’); Gyasi Zardes.
Substitutions not used: Dan Kennedy, Leonardo, Rafael Garcia, Nigel de Jong.
Head Coach: Bruce Arena
SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; CORNERS: 1; OFFSIDES: 4; SAVES: 6
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Johan Kappelhof, Jonathan Campbell, Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent; Arturo Alvarez (John Goossens 73’), Matt Polster, Khaly Thiam (Michael Stephens 82’), Michael de Leeuw, David Acaam ©; Luis Solignac (Joey Calistri 87’).
Substitutions not used: Matt Lampson, Rodrigo Ramos, Michael Harrington, Drew Conner.
Head Coach: Veljko Paunovic
SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; CORNERS: 2; OFFSIDES: 2; SAVES: 1
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Referee’s Assistants: Peter Balciunas and Jason White
4th Official: Sorin Stoica
Attendance: 16,179
