On a night that saw Dwayne De Rosario once again contribute a candidate for Goal of the Year honors, Houston Dynamo again saw a late penalty call go against them as the Chicago Fire came back to claim a 2-2 draw at Toyota Park on Wednesday night.
The Fire, who took a first-half lead through Justin Mapp, saw their five-game winning streak in all competitions come to an end. But after Chris Wondolowski scored before the break, then another wonder goal from midfield by De Rosario after the break, Andy Herron converted from the penalty spot to give the home side a share of the points.
It's been a difficult road trip for Dynamo, now winless on the first three games of the five-game swing. Losses to Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA in the first two had their share of refereeing controversy, which earned the Dynamo coaching staff a fine after their reaction following the 3-2 loss to Chivas last weekend.
The game's first real chance came in the 23rd minute when Fire 'keeper Zach Thornton was tested by De Rosario. Sending a pass down the right side of the field to Wondolowski, De Rosario positioned himself at the top of the box. Wondolowski ran the ball down into the right side of the box and pulled a cross back to De Rosario, but he one-timed the pass straight at Thornton for an easy save.
In the 36th minute, the Fire broke through. Defender C.J. Brown made a long pass into the offensive third that split the Dynamo defense and found Mapp. He cut across the top of the area before sending a shot inside the near post that beat Houston 'keeper Pat Onstad to put Chicago up 1-0.
But two minutes from the interval Houston pulled level. De Rosario sent a free kick towards the far post. With a helping wind, the ball floated beyond the back post, landing on the leg of Houston forward Alejandro Moreno, who chipped the ball over the frantically retreating Zach Thornton. The ball was headed for an open net when Diego Gutierrez hooked the ball off the line at the last moment -- even though Houston players claimed it had already crossed the line.
Still, the softly cleared ball found the foot of Moreno again. This time he blasted the ball at Thornton, who made the quick save, only to give up a rebound that Wondolowski easily tapped in from almost on the goal line to level the score.
Two minutes into the second half, Dynamo nearly conceded a second. A poor, soft pass was sent toward Onstad, but the Houston 'keeper had to stay on his line. Herron was there to pick up the loose ball and, racing in with only the keeper to beat, instead sent his shot straight at Onstad, who made the easy save.
In the 59th minute, a giveaway at the midfield stripe saw De Rosario end up with the ball. Looking up, he saw Thornton off his line and hit a high, arcing shot into the wind. Thornton scrambled back to return to his goal and managed to get a hand on the ball -- but only enough to knock it back into the net, much to the astonishment of both teams and the fans on hand at Toyota Park. For De Rosario, the winner of MLS Goal of the Year honors for two years running, it's a clear candidate for a three-peat.
Then in the 68th minute, Moreno went down in the box thanks to the defensive pressure of Tony Sanneh. But instead of pointing to the spot, referee Baldomero Toledo instead ran to Moreno and gestured for him to get up, showing him a yellow card for diving.
A minute later, the Fire nearly pulled level. Herron raced in with only Onstad to beat. As he slowed up, forcing the 'keeper to come out, Herron went around Onstad and sent in a rolling cross that was inches from the goal line. But no one was there to collect the pass.
With 16 minutes left in the game, Chicago held possession in their offensive third and with an opportunity to score. With a good cross into the box, the ball was headed back to the center of the box, where Fire captain Chris Armas ran onto the ball from behind. But just as he shaped to shoot, he was pulled down from behind by Houston midfielder Brad Davis.
This time Toledo gave the play no thought and pointed to the spot. Herron stepped up to the ball to take the kick, and after Onstad dove to his right, Herron calmly rolled the ball down the center of the goal to level the score.
The Fire nearly snatched the full three points at the end when Gonzalo Segares tried to volley home a free kick, but instead the shot went wide.
Jack Daniel Chavez is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
