A late bomb in injury time from Cuauhtemoc Blanco was enough to give the Chicago Fire a point on the road to start the 2008 season, coming back to snatch a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Fire seemed destined for defeat when a deflection off Bakary Soumare bounced into the Fire goal in the 71st minute. But Blanco was able a drive a deflected cross into the back of the net in injury time to once again deny RSL a victory in their home opener.
The Fire were under pressure from the home side early. Fabian Espindola rushed into the Chicago penalty area, but was instantly contested by Bakary Soumare who ushered the Salt Lake forward to the endline where he knocked a harmless shot right into the arms of goalkeeper Jon Busch.
Not even five minutes later, while tracking back on defense, Cuauhtemoc Blanco was beaten by Salt Lake left back Ian Joy close to the sideline. Joy then curled a cross that found Andy Williams at the far post. Busch looked as though he had the angle covered, but Williams' shot was well short of the near post.
In the following minute RSL striker Yura Movsisyan knocked an open header in front of goal well over the bar.
The referees let the players play and did not call much during the opening half of play. About 10 minutes in Blanco was not happy with Salt Lake's Nat Borchers hands on him. As he continually swiped away Borchers' hands, Blanco began dancing to get out of the defender's reach, which brought cheers from the many Blanco supporters in the crowd.
Blanco was given a chance to hit for the Fire's first goal of 2008 in the 11th minute but sent his effort just wide of the far post. The Mexican international received the ball at the top of the penalty area, with ample time to shoot. He paused to pick his corner and decided on a low blast to the far post that send RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando scrambling, but ended up bouncing it past the wrong side of the post.
Salt Lake missed another chance in the 14th minute. Javier Morales slipped a perfect ball through the Chicago defense that was gathered in by Espindola. The Salt Lake striker chased the pass down for a few paces before belting his shot well over Busch and the crossbar.
Another chance for the Fire to take the lead came up wanting in the 24th minute. Chicago striker Tomasz Frankowski was fouled in the middle of the park about 35 yards from goal. Blanco lined up for the freekick after his trademark long run-up, but put it high and wide of the frame.
RSL was on the attack again in the 29th minute when Espindola beat Brandon Prideaux inside the penalty area. Espindola's move took him toward the top of the area, but Busch was perfectly placed to easily grab the shot.
The first half came to a close as the challenges delivered from both sides increased in intensity. The heat continued after play for the period was over. As the teams were traveling to the locker room Real's Matias Mantilla and Blanco began exchanging words, and then a few bumps. Before it progressed into anything serious they were separated by their teammates.
On the other side of the break, RSL's Movsisyan sent another open header over the crossbar.
Chicago finally got their first shot on frame for the season more than an hour into the contest. In the 66th minute Gonzalo Segaras skipped an easy shot from the corner of the area straight into the arms of Rimando.
Their next shot on goal was the kind no team likes to make. In the 71st minute, RSL substitute Dema Kovalenko drove a low ball into the heart of the area just looking for a target. But Soumare saw the ball bounce off his leg and inside the near post past Busch for an own goal.
A scary moment came in the 85th for the Fire when a collision between Andy Herron and Rimando sent Herron to the turf. Both players went up for a high ball in the Salt Lake penalty area and as Rimando got his fists to it he slammed into Herron, leaving the Chicago midfielder dazed.
As the game drew to close in injury time Blanco came to the rescue for the Fire. Substitute Calen Carr was able to race down the right flank and rolled a cross into the area. Nat Borchers tried to clear it, but it got only as far as Blanco on the area, and he drove it first-time inside Rimando's right-hand post. The goal was enough to salvage a point for the Fire.
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
