Home-field advantage couldn't get the Chicago Fire back into the win column Saturday night, though they did earn a point for the first time in four games, reaching a 0-0 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes at Toyota Park.
The Fire forced Quakes 'keeper Joe Cannon into four saves, including two spectacular stops in the second half. But they were also fortunate at the other end, as San Jose twice hit the woodwork.
In the 10th minute, the Fire's Andy Herron attempted a bicycle kick, which landed in Cannon's arms. Herron fell hard, lying motionless before being escorted off the field by the Fire training staff. Herron re-entered the game in the 14th minute, before being replaced by Chad Barrett in the 16th minute.
The first half saw limited offensive action, with two shots per team.
Physical play led to five yellow cards going into the half. John Thorrington started things off taking down Ramiro Corrales in the 28th minute. Corrales slid into Fire defender Gonzalo Segares a minute later for San Jose's first yellow. Kelly Gray saw another yellow for San Jose, while Diego Gutierrez and Gonzalo Segares picked up yellows late in the first half.
Chicago's best opportunity came in the 34th minute. Tomasz Frankowski crossed the ball into the box and Chad Barrett attempted a bicycle kick, but completely missed it, with the ball rolling back into play.
After the break, it took a while for both teams to get the offense going.
In the 52nd minute, Earthquakes striker Kei Kamara was dragged to the ground by Fire defender Bakary Soumare after a misaimed header by Fire defender Brandon Prideaux set Kamara up just atop the penalty area. Corrales took the free kick but it glanced off the crossbar and out.
Justin Mapp, Chris Rolfe and Bakary Soumare had late attempts for the Fire, but all were stopped by Joe Cannon.
In the 71st minute Mapp rocketed the ball toward goal from the left side of the area, but Cannon punched it over. In the 76th minute, Rolfe and Soumare sent long balls toward goal just seconds apart. Cannon stopped the first one, while Soumare's shot sailed out.
The Earthquakes made a late push as well. Shea Salinas beat Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch in the 86th minute, sending a low ball bouncing off the left post and back into play. Kamara was first to the rebound, but couldn't work free to send a shot at the goal with Busch down and out.
Chicago at least snapped its losing streak, but the team hasn't won since May 25, a 5-1 win at New York. Nor have the Fire scored a goal since June 7, a 2-1 loss to D.C. United. In fact, the Fire has not found the back of the net now for 333 minutese.
San Jose also moved back into the points column, though the Earthquakes saw their winless streak reach four games, the last three on the road on a trip that finally comes to an end next week at Chivas USA.
Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
