The Chicago Fire were on the verge of suffering an embarrassing defeat, but a video assistant referee decision and an expertly-taken penalty helped the Fire earn a point at home.
The Fire drew the Vancouver Whitecaps, 1-1, at SeatGeek Stadium on Friday evening. Yordy Reyna put the Whitecaps up from a very tight angle but Nemanja Nikolic tied the score, firing a strike into the roof of the net.
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In the 53rd minute, Fire goalkeeper David Ousted chased down a cross, but quickly realized he was about to handle the ball outside of the 18-yard box. Instead of kicking the ball out of play, Ousted tried to punch it to a teammate. Instead, it fell right to Reyna, who side-footed it just inside the post.
#VWFC take the lead through @yordy_10!#CHIvVAN https://t.co/gJWdFV843b
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 13, 2019
In the 81st minute, former Toronto FC defender and Canadian National Team player Doneil Henry was judged to have handled the ball in the penalty box. A review with VAR led to the decision. Nikolic stepped up to the spot with his team needing a goal and he smashed a strike in for a goal.
We're level in Chicago as @niko_nemanja converts from the spot! #CHIvVAN https://t.co/6jCN39hLDe
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 13, 2019
In the game’s final minutes, CJ Sapong nearly scored on a scrum in the box, but Vancouver’s Max Crepeau made a game-saving stop at close range.
