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 on Wednesday at Toyota Park.
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 substitute 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.
Box Score
- 31’ – LA – Gyasi Zardes
- 34’ – CHI – Arturo Alvarez
- 39’ – CHI – David Accam (Penalty)
- 69' – LA – Giovani dos Santos (Alan Gordon, Sebastian Lletget)
- Full boxscore
- Stats
Three Things
- VAN DAMME’S BUSY HALF: Van Damme was in the midst of the action on all three of the game’s first half goals. He was instrumental in creating the opener, was caught ball-watching on Chicago’s equalizer and was flagged for the penalty that gave Chicago the lead. He also received a yellow card for the infraction. Bruce Arena’s captain for the evening certainly earned his 15 minute blow at the half!
- GORDON OFF THE BENCH, AGAIN?!: Is Alan Gordon the most impactful substitute in MLS history? The true no. 9 once again came off the bench for Arena and once again found himself in the box score, assisting on the game-tying goal and helping securing a huge road point in August for the LA Galaxy. What an incredibly valuable asset Gordon has been for one of the most storied club’s in MLS history.
- ACCAM TOO TRICKY: We have seen this movie before: David Accam terrorizing opposing defenses with his incredible ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Accam was a threat all evening against the LA Galaxy, torching just about everyone who got in his way. He also gave Chicago the lead late in the first half after his stutter-step penalty sent Clement Diop in the wrong direction on his classy PK finish.
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