BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.(Aug. 14, 2016) – The Chicago Fire extended their home unbeaten streak to 10 games in all competitions after rallying to tie Orlando City SC 2-2 on Sunday at Toyota Park.
Orlando jumped out to a 2-1 lead just past the half-hour mark, but Razvan Cocis equalized in the 78th minute to establish the final scoreline. John Goossens accounted for the Fire’s first goal as Chicago recorded its second multi-goal game at home in-a-row.
Watch: Match Highlights
Goossens gave the Fire an early lead with a left-footed blast from outside the area. The sequence began with a free kick from David Accam that Orlando City SC goalkeeper Joe Bendik punched away. Matt Polster collected and slipped a pass to Goossens 10 yards from the top of the box. Goossens whipped his shot to the near post, beating Bendik with a bank-shot off the inside of the frame.
Orlando City leveled three minutes later. Kaka found a seam in Chicago’s defense, giving Larin a chance to track the ball with a darting run into the box. Larin shielded his defender and tapped into the net to make it 1-1.
Accam kicked into turbo mode in the 15th minute and nearly found a go-ahead goal. The speedy winger took the ball near midfield and challenged Orlando’s back line to a footrace. Accam won that race and had a chance from close range, but Bendik came off his line to narrow the options and make a save.
Postmatch Reactions: Paunovic | Accam | Cocis
Kaka gave his side the lead in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on a fortunate chance. Larin headed a cross into the crossbar, and the rebound landed at Kaka’s foot for an easy finish on the doorstep.
Goossens had a chance to equalize two minutes before halftime. Eric Gehrig sent a pass from midfield that found Goossens open in the box. The Dutch midfielder volleyed his shot on target, but Bendik was positioned well and reflexively caught the attempt.
Cocis equalized in the 78th minute with a textbook cross-and-finish combination. Brandon Vincent played the cross, and Cocis kept his mark on the back to create an open look in front of the goal. The Fire captain’s powerful header found the net, and gave his team a chance to take win with 12 minutes remaining.
The Men in Red return to action against the Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium on Saturday, August 20. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago Plus and 97.5 Poder.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (4-11-7, 19 points) 2:2 Orlando City SC (5-6-12, 27 points)
August 14, 2016 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 18,148
Scoring Summary:
CHI – John Goossens (Matt Polster) 6
ORL – Cyle Larin (Kaka) 9
ORL – Kaka (unassisted) 32
CHI – Razvan Cocis (Brandon Vincent, David Accam) 78
Misconduct Summary:
ORL – Tommy Redding (caution) 17
CHI – David Accam (caution) 45+2
ORL – Jose Aja (caution) 86
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Johan Kappelhof, Eric Gehrig, Jonathan Campbell, Matt Polster, Razvan Cocis ©, Khaly Thiam (Luis Solignac HT), Brandon Vincent, John Goossens (Arturo Alvarez 71), Michael de Leeuw, David Accam.
Shots: 18; Shots On-Goal: 8; Saves: 5; Fouls: 15; Corners: 7; Offsides: 2
Orlando City SC: Joe Bendik, Kevin Alston, Tommy Redding (Jose Aja 56), Seb Hines, Luke Boden, Cristian Higuita (Tony Rocha 61), Servando Carrasco, Brek Shea, Kaka ©, Matias Perez Garcia (Kevin Molino 64), Cyle Larin.
Shots: 20; Shots On-Goal: 7; Saves: 6; Fouls: 16; Corners: 5; Offsides: 0
