COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 22, 2015) – The Chicago Fire (3-5-2, 11 points) staged a late, come-from-behind draw on the road against Columbus Crew SC (4-4-3, 15 points) at MAPFRE Stadium on Friday evening. After Crew SC pulled ahead courtesy of a Kei Kamara brace, the Fire staged a furious comeback begun by a David Accam header and capped when Jason Johnson scored his first goal in a Fire shirt -- and just the second of his MLS career -- for a 94th minute equalizer.
The hosts opened scoring in the 8th minute when Justin Meram sent a pass through to Ethan Finlay at the top of the six yard box. Finlay played the ball square to Kei Kamara in front of goal to tap it in to give the hosts the lead.
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The Fire’s most dangerous chance to equalize came in the 26th minute. Kennedy Igboananike picked blocked Steve Clark’s clearance and earned a corner. Shaun Maloney drove in the ensuing restart that deflect to David Accam outside of the penalty area. The Ghanaian winger blasted a right-footed volley on frame, forcing a diving save from Clark.
Kamara headed home his second of the night in the 55th minute when Kevan George flicked on a Federico Higuain corner kick.
The Fire cut the lead in half just three minutes later. Igboananike brought down the ball inside the Crew SC half and turned toward goal. Just before he hit the end line, the Nigerian sent in a cross that deflected off of Crew SC defender Michael Parkhurt’s foot and popped up to Accam in front of goal, allowing the Designated Player to head it home for his second goal of the season.
Accam nearly set up an equalizer later in the match, chipping a ball toward the penalty spot for an on-rushing Quincy Amarikwa. Amarikwa met the ball mid-slide and sent a one-time volley toward net, but his effort cleared the top of the crossbar.
With just seconds remaining in second half stoppage time, Eric Gehrig received the ball outside the Crew SC 18-yard box. The Harvey, Ill. native and former Columbus Crew SC defender took a touch to settle and sent a perfectly weighted cross to Jason Johnson at the penalty spot. The Jamaican striker snapped his header past Clark to give the Men in Red a hard-fought road point.
Tonight’s match marked the 300th regular season appearance for Fire ‘keeper Jon Busch, who began his MLS career with Crew SC in 2002. Busch becomes just the fourth ‘keeper in MLS history to reach the mark, following Kevin Hartman, Nick Rimando and Joe Cannon.
The Men in Red return to action when they host the Montreal Impact at Toyota Park on Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. CT (CSN Chicago/ESPN Deportes 97.5 FM).
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew SC
May 22, 2015 – MAPFRE Stadium
Attendance: 13,118
Scoring Summary:
CLB – Kei Kamara (Ethan Finlay, Justin Meram) 8’
CLB – Kei Kamara (Kevan George, Federico Higuain) 55’
CHI – David Accam (unassisted) 58’
CHI – Jason Johnson (Eric Gehrig) 94’
Misconduct Summary:
CLB – Kevan George (caution) 21’
CHI – Eric Gehrig (caution) 42’
CLB – Justin Meram (caution) 90+’
Chicago Fire: Jon Busch; Eric Gehrig, Jeff Larentowicz ©, Adailton, Joevin Jones; Harry Shipp (Jason Johnson 67’), Matt Polster, Razvan Cocis (Quincy Amarikwa 71’), David Accam; Shaun Maloney; Kennedy Igboananike (Guly do Prado 83’)
Subs not used: Sean Johnson; Lovel Palmer; Chris Ritter, Michael Stephens
Shots: 18 Shots On Goal: 4 Saves: 2 Fouls: 11 Corner Kicks: 7 Offsides: 3
Columbus Crew SC: Steve Clark; Chris Klute, Michael Parkhurst ©, Emanuel Pogatetz, Waylon Francis; Ethan Finaly (Kristinn Steindorsson 75’), Kevan George, Tony Tchani, Justin Meram, Federico Higuain (Ben Speas 87’); Kei Kamara (Aaron Schoenfeld 90+’)
Subs not used: Brad Stuver, Tyson Wahl, Chad Barson, Romain Gall
Shots: 9 Shots On Goal: 4 Saves: 2 Fouls: 11 Corner Kicks: 3 Offsides: 6
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistants: Sean Hurd, Scott Kachmarik
Fourth Official: Alan Kelly
