There is newfound excitement in Chicago after the Fire played to a 1-1 draw Sunday in a friendly with Scottish Premier League champ Celtic FC at Toyota Park.
The wait officially ended as Cuauhtémoc Blanco was on the field for the Fire, donning his trademark No. 10 jersey. The 34-year-old Mexican superstar started in an attacking midfield role and made an immediate impact as he scored his first goal in a Fire uniform in the 30th minute.
Not only did Blanco score the lone goal of the contest for the home team, he also had five attempts at goal before he was pulled out before an appreciative Chicago crowd in the 58th minute.
With both teams coming out at the start with great intensity, Blanco took the first shot of the match for the Fire in the sixth minute. His attempt sailed over the Celtic FC crossbar and into the Toyota Park stands.
The Chicago fans, who have not witnessed much exciting soccer of late, were brought to their feet in the 11th minute.
After seeing a good chance saved by Celtic FC goalkeeper Artur Boruc, Blanco went to the corner to take the resulting corner. The set piece nearly found its way to the back of the Celtic net, which generated cheers from the Fire faithful.
Blanco's presence enabled Chicago to open up its attack, certainly stagnant in recent weeks. In the 23rd minute, the new Chicago import took on a Celtic FC defender and set up Calen Carr just outside the penalty box. Carr chipped the attempt, but his floater hit the crossbar and went out of play.
It was in the 30th minute that Chicago fans got a taste of why Blanco could help the Fire turn around their disappointing MLS season.
Breaking upfield and with two Celtic defenders on him, Blanco showed the moves that made him an international threat. He successfully dribbled around two Celtic FC players and then he brought Boruc out of goal. Blanco faked to his right and brought the ball with him to the left and a diving Boruc was left only grabbing at air. Blanco then rolled in the empty-netter to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.
Although the Fire did not register another tally in the first half, they did accrue nine shots while Celtic was only to get three shots away entering the break.
The Chicago offense continued to attack in the second half as Blanco got a shot off in the 47th minute and then Fire captain Chris Armas threatened the goal in the 54th minute of play.
With a solid showing, Chicago head coach Juan Carlos Osorio decided to take Blanco out of the contest in the 58th minute in favor of Thiago. The Toyota Park crowd gave Blanco a standing ovation as he left waving to the Fire faithful.
Chad Barrett, who has carried the Chicago offense for most of the season, was replaced a minute later by Floyd Franks and Osorio made three more changes in the next 17 minutes.
Celtic FC refused to come away with a second loss on its U.S. tour and tied the contest in the 80th minute.
Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati made a perfect crossing pass to Derek Riordan on the left side of the field and he beat Chicago goalie Jon Busch, placing it in the right side of the Fire goal with a fine volley.
Busch was able to keep the game even late as he stopped a missile from Scott McDonald in the 89th minute for Chicago.
Tim Hilton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
