ORLANDO, Fla.(March 11, 2016) – The Chicago Fire faced an early deficit and played a man down for nearly an hour, but battled to grind out a 1-1 draw against Orlando City SC on Friday at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
After Orlando City SC opened the scoring in the fourth minute, the Fire responded with a 14th-minute equalizer off the foot of Designated Player David Accam. Chicago went down a man in the 32nd minute after Michael Harrington was sent off, but the Men in Red organized and held on for the draw.
MORE: Match Highlights | MLS Matchcenter
Cyle Larin gave the home side an early lead, hitting the back of the net with a forceful finish in the fourth minute. Larin took a pass from Kevin Molino, turned and fired. However, Jonathan Campbell dashed into the frame and deflected the initial attempt. The ball sat in front of Larin with the net in clear view, allowing the Canadian striker an open look. He didn’t waste the window, stroking his shot into the upper corner.
The Fire equalized 10 minutes later thanks to a swift counter attack. John Goossens started the sequence with a lofted pass over Orlando City’s backline and into space. Accam took off in a sprint from midfield, blazed around the last defender and then slotted a shot past goalkeeper Joe Bendik.
Accam nearly doubled his haul in the 26th minute, but the post denied his attempt. Harrington whipped a cross to the back post and Accam lost his marker, heading his shot into the turf en route to the post.
Chicago was reduced to 10 men in the 32nd minute after Harrington received a red card for a tackle near the sideline.
Despite the handicap, Chicago nearly took the lead 63 minutes through after a nifty give-and-go between Johan Kappelhof and Goossens. Kappelhof played a short pass to Goossens and then took off into Orlando’s box. Goossens found him with a lofted pass, Kappelhof centered and Orlando defender Tommy Redding slid to knock the threat away with Kennedy Igboananike charging onto the scene.
Goossens made his first career Fire and MLS appearance during the match, playing 73 minutes before Razvan Cocis came on as a substitute. Additionally, rookie Jonathan Campbell drew his first career start as a professional and as a member of the Fire.
The Men in Red return to action on Saturday, March 11 against Columbus Crew SC. Kickoff is 4 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago Plus.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (0-1-1, 1 pt.) 1:1 Orlando City SC (0-0-2, 2 pts.)
March 11, 2016 – Orlando Citrus Bowl
Attendance: 29,041
Scoring Summary:
ORL – Cyle Larin (Kevin Molino) 4
CHI – David Accam (John Goossens) 14
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Matt Polster (caution) 28
CHI – Michael Harrington (ejection) 32
ORL – Cristian Higuita (caution) 62
CHI – Joao Meira (caution) 71
ORL – Servando Carrasco (caution) 75
CHI – David Accam (caution) 83
ORL – Brek Shea (caution) 90
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson, Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Jonathan Campbell, Michael Harrington, Arturo Alvarez (Rodrigo Ramos 87), Matt Polster (C), John Goossens (Razvan Cocis 73), Brandon Vincent, David Accam, Kennedy Igboananike (Joey Calistri 84).
Shots: 10; Shots On-Goal: 2; Saves: 4; Fouls: 8; Corners: 2
Orlando City SC: Joe Bendik, Rafael Ramos, Tommy Redding, Seb Hines, Brek Shea (C), Adrian Winter, Servando Carrasco, Cristian Higuita (Hadji Barry 73), Antonio Nocerino (Pedro Ribeiro 63), Kevin Molino, Cyle Larin.
Shots: 13; Shots On-Goal: 5; Saves: 1; Fouls: 21; Corners: 6
