BRADENTON, Fla. - The Chicago Fire tied Toronto FC 1-1 today in a preseason scrimmage at the IMG Academies, in Bradenton, Fla. The Fire opened scoring with a goal from forward Calen Carr in the 52nd minute, but Toronto leveled the score in the 78th minute off a Jarrod Smith tally.
After battling through a physical first half, the Fire notched the first goal just eight minutes into the second half as forward Chad Barrett ripped a hard shot on goal toward Toronto rookie goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar. Wagenaar made the initial save, but the ball deflected to Carr, whose subsequent shot gave the "Men in Red" a one goal advantage.
Despite the Fire's defensive efforts, Toronto substitute midfielder Jarrod Smith received a ball from midfielder Tyler Hemming and slipped a shot into the lower right corner of the goal in the 78th minute to tie the game.
Chicago nearly go the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute, when midfielder Jesus Mendoza held onto the ball and fought through two defenders to slip a pass to fellow midfielder Peter Lowry. Lowry snuck in a quick pass to forward Dwight Barnett behind the defense for a shot. Barnett's attempt sailed high and over the crossbar for a goal kick.
The Fire return to Chicago this evening and have three days off before their departure to Mexico on Sunday. Recently signed forward Andy Herron will join the team during the second leg of preseason in Mexico, where Chicago will take on Dorados, Necaxa, and San Luis.
Fire Lineup (4-4-2):
GK- Dominic Cervi (Nick Noble 45), D-Brian Plotkin (Mike Banner 77), D-Diego Gutierrez (Austin Washington 63) , D-Bakary Soumare (Jeff Curtin 63, Tim Regan 80), D-Bruno Menezes (Julian Barragan 45), M-Justin Mapp (Peter Lowery 63), M-Logan Pause (Stephen King 63), M-Chris Rolfe (Pius Ikedia 63, Kai Kasiguran 80), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Jesus Mendoza 63), F-Chad Barrett (Dwight Barnett 63), F-Steven Marlet (Calen Carr 45).
Toronto Lineup (3-5-2):
GK-Greg Sutton (Josh Wagenaar 45), D-Jimmy Brennan, D-Marco Valez, D-Tyrone Marshall, D-Tyler Hemming, M-Collin Samuel, M-Kiki Musampa, M-Maurice Edu, M-Ronnie O'Brien (Jarrod Smith 73), F-Danny Dichio, F-Jeff Cunningham.
Scoring Summary
CHI - Calen Carr 1 (UA) 52
TOR - Jarrod Smith (Tyler Hemming) 78
Misconduct Summary
CHI - Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Caution) 8
TOR - Maurice Edu (Caution) 8
CHI - Chad Barrett (Caution) 13
TOR - Jim Brennen (Caution) 35
TOR - Kiki Musampa (Caution) 57
TOR - Tyrone Marshall (Caution) 90
Referee: Joe Batko
Referee Assistants: Cyril Madukanya, Bill Chapman
Weather: Sunny, 68 Degrees
