The Chicago Fire and D.C. United entered Saturday's regular season contest needing a win, but neither side could pick up three points as they drew 0-0 at SeatGeek Stadium.
There was one notable return to MLS on the night, as recently-signed defender Jonathan Bornstein made his debut for the Fire. Bornstein played 123 MLS regular season games for Chivas USA between 2006-10 before playing abroad in Mexico and Israel.
After a first half lacking clear-cut chances, the Fire had a penalty shout a couple minutes into the second half as D.C. defender Frederic Brillant's hand touched the ball as it sliced through traffic, but there was ultimately no penalty called on the play.
Later in the second 45, Wayne Rooney had a beautiful curling free kick over the Chicago wall, but Fire goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm was up to the task and blocked the swerving shot.
SeatGeek has great deals for future MLS matches
GET TICKETS
Official Ticketing Partner of Major League Soccer
Goals
- None
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Both teams needed a win on the night, with neither in good form lately, but it was tough sledding on the attacking side the whole way. D.C. can afford to settle for a draw on the road, but with Chicago maintaining a points per game average of 1.00, their flickering Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs hopes are truly on life support at the MLS All-Star break.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: United really didn't offer much in attack in this one and that's a concern, but Rooney nearly won the game with his free kick. Fortunately for the home crowd, Kronholm was able to keep the game deadlocked.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Left back has been a persistent concern for the Fire, and in his first action for his new team, Bornstein showed he still has the ability to put in a steady shift defensively and pick out a pass as well.
Next Up
- CHI: Saturday, Aug. 3 at Houston Dynamo (9 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; DAZN in Canada)
- DC: Sunday, Aug. 4 vs. Philadelphia Union (7:30 pm ET | FS1 in US; TSN1/3 in Canada)
