The Chicago Fire had the momentum, a one-goal lead and a great opportunity to obtain three points against D.C. United, a three points that would go a long way toward securing their playoff future.
However, a costly defensive miscue in the 84th minute cost the Fire a chance to earn a victory against the best team in Major League Soccer and thus, Chicago came away with just one point in a 1-1 draw Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park.
As he was attempting to dribble the ball out of his own penalty area, Chicago forward Chris Rolfe lost possession of the ball and it found its way to United captain Jaime Moreno inside the box. The D.C. forward was able to place a perfect shot, hugging the inside of the right post as he sent it high past Chicago goalkeeper Matt Pickens for the eventual equalizer.
"I faked it a couple of times to cross it and when I crossed it, it went straight into the goal. It was too bad for the 'keeper," Moreno said. "He (Pickens) thought it was going to go outside and it went inside. It's one of those goals that don't look nice but at the end of the day, we'll take it."
Pickens had five saves on the day that kept Chicago in the game but the Fire 'keeper still felt the sting of not stopping Moreno's tally.
"They (D.C.) crossed the ball in and I got to it," Pickens said. "I thought it was going wide but then I lost it. It's just one of those things that happen. I feel awful. We played good enough to win (Sunday)."
Chicago coach Juan Carlos Osorio was not happy that his team came away with just one point on the afternoon.
"I am extremely disappointed. By my count, this is the third game in a row where individual errors cost us six points," Osorio said. "There is lots of pressure on the guys. Two months ago, they were playing for nothing and now they're playing for something important. I'm very disappointed because we created enough chances to win this game."
United, meanwhile, extended their lead in the MLS Supporters' Shield to three points ahead of Chivas USA. United won the trophy, awarded to the team with the best regular season record, last year as well. However, Chivas USA do have a game in hand on United.
"We looked like a team that had time off. We came out flat. Obviously we had some new pieces in the lineup that haven't all played together so I think those signs showed, as well," said United head coach Tom Soehn. " ... I think in some respects some of it got better, but on the day it wasn't our normal effort. Again, we were resilient. We get a point on the road on a day that we were missing guys is pretty important."
Chicago outshot United 13-9 and had seven shots on goal against D.C. goalkeeper Troy Perkins. Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco and defender Wilman Conde led Chicago with three shots apiece.
The Fire's single point moved them a point ahead of the Columbus Crew for eighth place in the overall standings and the final playoff spot. The Fire have 32 points, while the Columbus Crew have 31 and the Colorado Rapids sit in 10th place with 29. All three teams have four games left.
"We have to take it one game a time and now we have to prepare for Chivas (next Saturday)," Osorio said. "I can't deny that I am concerned about what has happened during our last three games."
Chicago took an early 1-0 lead when Chad Barrett was able to put away a shot from the heart of the penalty area, which was set up by a 35-yard pass from Blanco in the 18th minute. Although he recorded his sixth goal of the season, Barrett said the Men in Red had more opportunities to score.
"It's tough to lose the game like that after 80 minutes," Barrett said. "We're doing a better job of creating opportunities but we need to finish better."
Chicago defender C.J. Brown believes that the team is improving, even though they did not capture the win.
"We have to keep our heads up," Brown said. "It's the second game in a row that we should have had three points and we come out with one.
"It's a little disappointing on Pickens' part. He's always huge for us every game so he's a little disappointed in himself. We just have to keep our heads up and keep plowing away," he continued. "I think soccer-wise we're dominating. We just have to finish the game off."
Tim Hilton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
