The Fire had a chance to continue the momentum from Saturday’s win at Montreal, but couldn’t put the finishing touches on a second-straight win.
Instead, the Fire settled for a 2-2 draw at home against the LA Galaxy on Wednesday after the Fire led at halftime.
After a dull first quarter of the match, the game featured four goals, two more called back for offside, a number of close chances and wide open play.
LA’s U.S. national teamer Gyasi Zardes opened the scoring in the 31st minute and the floodgates opened soon after. Zardes pounced on a loose ball in the box with a hard and low shot.
Just three minutes later the Fire (5-11-8, 23 points) equalized with a goal that also required a couple deflections to wind up at the feet of an open shooter. Michael de Leeuw put a header on target and LA goalkeeper Clement Diop came up with the initial save. However, the save bounced off defender A.J. DeLaGarza’s face and landed right to Arturo Alvarez, who scored with a half volley.
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The Fire completed the turnaround when Luis Solignac was tripped in the box for a penalty kick, which David Accam converted to give the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 39th minute.
Chicago Fire
"I think the way we came back and how fast we did that, I think that’s something that is very positive for us," Fire coach Veljko Paunovic said. "Against a great team, a big team, it even counts more. I think also as we said during this year we were working hard to get to this moment where we can actually feel as a real team, a team that can win (against) anyone.”
Even if the Galaxy (9-4-12, 39 points) are arguably the deepest team in the league, LA didn't bring a full strength lineup to Toyota Park. Giovani Dos Santos didn't start, but did eventually score the tying goal, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard weren't even included on the list of substitutes in the matchday lineup and Nigel De Jong was available as a substitute but didn’t play.
Dos Santos connected with another sub, Alan Gordon, for that tying goal in the 69th minute. Gordon centered a ball from the right to Giovany Dos Santos, who scored with his first touch.
"I’m feeling very sorry for our guys, very disappointed that we couldn’t get more from this game," Paunovic said. "I think the performance was fantastic. I think we finally feel we are there, where we wanted to be during all this year."
Earlier in the second half, Chicago had a golden opportunity to take a two-goal lead when David Accam chased down a long ball and dribbled around LA goalkeeper Clement Diop. Diop came way off his line, but with an open goal in front of him Accam dribbled into the box and passed to Luis Solignac. Solignac missed the shot with two defenders, but still no goalkeeper in his way.
The Fire were unable to put the game away, but did hold an 8-3 edge in shots on target and the Galaxy's only shot on target in the second half was the goal. The Fire also had 51 percent of the possession, which is the third time this season the Fire had most of the possession.
"I know everyone has talked about the whole not winning away and we were able to do it in Montreal," Alvarez said. "It was a great performance overall from everyone so that game alone just kind of gave everyone that boost that we needed. I think it showed in this game as well. Unfortunately it didn’t go the way we wanted to. Then again that’s LA for you, they always find a way to come back into games and they did this time.”
The Fire's draw coupled with Columbus' loss to Philadelphia means the Fire are now tied with the Crew in the Eastern Conference, but remain six points out of the playoffs. The Fire next play Saturday at D.C. United.