The Chicago Fire are an MLS team steeped in tradition. They continued a new tradition Saturday against the New England Revolution.
After taking a first-half lead on a goal by Wilman Conde, the Fire gave up a goal early in the second half to New England's Shalrie Joseph and settled for a 1-1 tie with the Revs. It marked the Fire's fifth consecutive draw and sixth in eight games this season.
The Fire are now 2-0-6 (12 points) while the Revolution, coming off consecutive losses in which they were outscored 8-0, got a point to move up to 2-2-3 (nine points).
In each of their last three home games, the Fire have taken a lead only to give it up to the visitors.
In the first half, the Fire had several scoring chances, including a shot in the 28th minute by John Thorrington that glanced off the foot of Revolution midfielder Pat Phelan and up and over the net.
In the 30th minute, the Fire put together a combination of passes that ended with Rolfe standing eight yards out to Matt Reis' left, but his shot went off the New England goalkeeper's hands.
On the ensuing corner kick, the offering from Cuauhtemoc Blanco went into the goal area, a couple of bodies hit the ground and Wilman Conde found himself with the ball at his feet and a clear path into the net's left corner. It was Conde's first goal of the season.
The goal extended the Fire's season-long streak of scoring in every game. It also marked the fourth consecutive home game in which the Fire took the lead first.
The goal was also the 600th goal for the Fire in MLS play, including both the regular season and MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Fire were credited with three shots on goal in the first half to one for the Revolution. The Fire also had four corner kicks to zero for the visitors in the first half.
The Revolution tied the game in the 49th minute. A pass from the top right of the penalty area by Jeff Larentowicz glanced off Conde's foot in front of the goal and went out to the left side of the box right to Joseph, who had an easy look to the near corner. The goal ended New England's scoreless drought at 269 minutes.
Hamlett gave veteran forward Chris Rolfe his first start of the season in place of second year forward Patrick Nyarko. Rolfe had lost his starting job when he suffered a stomach virus at the end of training camp and has been used at the end of each of the first seven games.
There was a late scratch in the Fire starting lineup, as defender Gonzalo Segares was removed because of the calf contusion he suffered in last week's game against Seattle. Brandon Prideaux took his place on the right side, while Tim Ward played on the left side with Bakary Soumare and Conde in the middle.
The Fire, who have been remarkably healthy for most of the season, could get even healthier this weekend. Forward Calen Carr (ACL tear) and defender C.J. Brown (quad strain) are expected to see action Sunday in an exhibition with DePaul University.
New England made four changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Houston last Sunday. Emmanuel Osei made his MLS debut, Pat Phelan came in for his first start of the season, and Kevin Alston and Chris Tierney also returned to the team. Steve Ralston also made the bench after missing the past two matches with an adductor strain. Joseph pushed up front alongside Kheli Dube after playing as a striker late in the Dynamo game.
In the 63rd minute, Hamlett made his first substitution, sending Nyarko into the game for Rolfe.
In the 70th minute, Justin Mapp entered the game in place of Marco Pappa. The game was Mapp's first appearance since April 11 at San Jose when he suffered a strained hamstring.
The Fire came close in the dying minutes to end their streak. First, Blanco fired just wide of the far post after good combination play from Conde and Nyarko created a chance on the edge of the penalty area.
In the 78th minute, the Fire repeated their previous scoring chance, as a long ball played into the 18-yard box was chested back by Nyarko to the foot of John Thorrington at the top of the box, but Thorrington's one-time shot went over the goal.
McBride then went towards goal himself with a header, but Reis managed to get his hands on the ball. Finally, Reis pushed aside a Nyarko header in stoppage time and punched away the resulting corner to ensure the teams would share the points.
Kent McDill is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
