Not even a coaching change could change the Chicago Fire’s fortunes on Saturday night, when they extended their league winless streak to 10 games with a 0-0 draw against the Seattle Sounders at Toyota Park.
The result comes five days after Chicago fired head coach Carlos de los Cobos and inserted Frank Klopas into the role on an interim basis.
The draw gives the Sounders, who continue to struggle with injuries, four points from their two-game road trip. They beat Real Salt Lake, 2-1, at Rio Tinto Stadium last weekend.
The goalkeepers, Sean Johnson for Chicago and Kasey Keller for Seattle, were the heroes on the night. Both came up with clutch saves to keep clean sheets.
The Sounders nearly took the lead against Chicago in the 6th minute. Midfielder Mauro Rosales crossed to Lamar Neagle at the left post, giving the unmarked midfielder a six-yard header that Fire keeper Sean Johnson did well to keep out. Johnson stopped Neagle again in the 9th minute, parrying a dipping shot over the crossbar.
The Fire’s first chance came in the 12th minute. Defender Bratislav Ristic found forward Diego Chaves at the top of the box, and the Uruguayan striker’s low shot forced Keller into a save at the right post.
Keller came up really big in the 27th minute. Chicago midfielder Corben Bone freed Daniel Paladini for a shot, and the latter smashed a 25-yard shot that looked destined for the top left corner. But Keller stretched to tip it out for a corner.
Paladini and Bone created another chance in the 29th minute. Bone sent Paladini in the space behind the Seattle defense, but his 20-yard shot whipped wide of the left post.
Then Diego Chaves tested Keller with a one-time shot that the Seattle keeper just stopped.
The second half was much quieter than the first, with both teams looking relatively unthreatening on the offensive end.
Oduro collected a loose ball in the 60th minute and fired a low left footer that deflected off of Seattle defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and just missed the right post.
About six minutes later, Seattle substitute Fredy Montero curled a 29-yard free kick around Chicago’s wall and just wide of the right post.
In the end, though, neither team could break through.
The Fire have a quick turnaround this week, heading to Kansas City to open Livestrong Sporting Park on Thursday. Seattle return home to take on Pacific Northwest rival Vancouver at Qwest Stadium next weekend.
Seattle Sounders -- Kasey Keller, James Riley, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Tyson Wahl, Mauro Rosales (Roger Levesque 66), Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Lamar Neagle, Mike Fucito (Servando Carrasco 81), Nate Jaqua (Fredy Montero 54).
Substitutes Not Used: Leo Gonzalez, Patrick Ianni, Zach Scott, Terry Boss.
Chicago Fire -- Sean Johnson, Bratislav Ristic, Yamith Cuesta, Cory Gibbs, Gonzalo Segares, Dominic Oduro, Logan Pause, Daniel Paladini, Corben Bone (Gaston Puerari 67), Diego Chaves (Patrick Nyarko 54), Cristian Nazarit (Orr Barouch 78).
Substitutes Not Used: Jalil Anibaba, Baggio Husidic, Dasan Robinson, Jon Conway.
Misconduct Summary:
SEA -- Mike Fucito (caution; Reckless Foul) 33
SEA -- Tyson Wahl (caution; Tactical Foul) 36
CHI -- Diego Chaves (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 46+
Referee: Terry Vaughn
Referee's Assistants: Jason Cullum; Corey Parker
4th Official: Michael Kennedy
Attendance: 13,839
Time of Game: 1:52
Weather: Sunny and 85 degrees
