HOUSTON -- Patrick Nyarko scored in his first MLS match since tearing his anterior-cruciate ligament last season to rally the Chicago Fire to a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo on Friday at BBVA Compass Stadium.
After the match, Nyarko dedicated the goal to his grandmother, who passed recently and will be laid to rest Saturday in his home country, Ghana. Nyarko hadn't seen MLS action since Oct. 18, 2014 when he tore his ACL against D.C. United at RFK Stadium. His last goal was a game-winner against the New York Red Bulls, 5-4, on May 10, 2014.
Match Highlights | Postmatch Quotes | Match Stats
The Fire nearly hit the net early after Razvan Cocis connected on a corner kick from Harry Shipp less than five minutes into the match. The Romanian midfielder volleyed his shot into the crossbar and the ricochet landed on the goal line before backspin carried the ball away from its target.
Houston broke through in the 56th minute. Brad Davis slid a cross past the goal face and found Alex open at the far post for a tap-in.
READ: Nyarko Thrilled to Contribute in Return
Chicago had a pair of looks in the 65th minute. Lovel Palmer sped past a defender and sent a cross to the near post, landing on the foot of Mike Magee. Magee flicked a shot toward goal, but watched it deflect out of bounds for a corner kick. Nyarko had the next chance off of the ensuing corner kick, but his header hit the top of the crossbar before bouncing away for a goal kick.
Nyarko pulled his team back with a 72nd-minute equalizer. Shipp sent a pass to Magee in space near the top of the box. Magee was able to get a touch on the ball before colliding with a Houston defender, giving Greg Cochrane room to operate on the left side. Cochrane slid a teasing ball in front of goal and Nyarko met it with a sliding challenge, but Houston goalkeeper Joe Willis was there to make the initial stop. Nyarko pounced on the loose ball, slotting his shot into the upper corner for his first goal of the season.
The Men in Red return to action on Saturday, July 11 against Seattle Sounders FC at Toyota Park. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT on CSN Plus.
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (4-9-3, 15 pts.) 1:1 Houston Dynamo (5-7-6, 21 pts.)
July 3, 2015 - Toyota Park
Attendance: 22,651
Scoring Summary:
HOU - Alex (Will Bruin, Brad Davis) 56
CHI - Patrick Nyarko (unassisted) 72
Misconduct Summary:
CHI - Lovel Palmer (caution) 38
CHI - Guly do Prado (caution) 40
HOU - Raul Rodriguez (caution) 66
CHI - Patrick Nyarko (caution) 86
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Lovel Palmer, Eric Gehrig, Adailton (Chris Ritter 71), Greg Cochrane, Harry Shipp, ©Razvan Cocis, Matt Polster, Jason Johnson (Patrick Nyarko 46), Guly Do Prado, Kennedy Igboananike (Mike Magee 59).
Shots: 8; Shots On Goal: 2; Saves: 1; Fouls: 15; Corner Kicks: 7; Offsides: 2.
Houston Dynamo: Joe Willis, Raul Rodriguez, David Horst, Jermaine Taylor, DaMarcus Beasley, Alex Lopez (Alex 53), Luis Garrido, Ricardo Clark, ©Brad Davis (Leonel Miranda 77), Will Bruin (Mauro Manotas 78), Giles Barnes.
Shots: 9; Shots On Goal: 2; Saves: 1; Fouls: 18; Corner Kicks: 3; Offsides: 1.
