ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 29, 2015) - The Chicago Fire (7-13-6, 27 points) earned a road point against Orlando City SC (7-12-8, 29 points) at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Saturday evening in a match that featured two lengthy weather delays.
Match Highlights
The start of the match kick off nearly two hours late due to thunderstorms in the area. In the 19th minute, the match was delayed an additional 67 minutes due to lightning.
Once the game restarted, the Fire got on the board first in the 30th minute when Razvan Cocis found David Accam with a long, diagonal ball. Racing nearly to the endline, Accam took a touch, brought the ball inside and unleashed a low, driven shot with his right foot on goal past Orlando City goalkeeper Tally Hall.
Seven minutes later the hosts equalized with Lewis Neal floated a cross into the penalty area. Orlando rookie Cyle Larin and Chicago defender Eric Gehrig each leapt to meet the ball at the 6-yard box, where Gehrig inadvertantly redirected the ball into his own goal off his shoulder, leveling the score at one.
Match Stats and OPTA Chalkboard
The second half remained a wide-open contest, with each side overcoming the wet conditions to create numerous scoring chances. The last such opportunity came in the game's waning moments, when Orlando City's Darwin Cerén struck a high shot from outside the penalty area that forced Chicago's Sean Johnson to dive and preserve a road point for the Fire.
Both teams -- who meet again Sept. 19 at Toyota Park -- were credited with 12 shots on the evening, each putting two on frame.
The Men in Red are again on the road next week when they head to Stade Saputo to challenge the Montreal Impact on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. CT (CSN/ESPN Deportes 97.5 FM).
--
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (7-13-5, 27 pts.) 1:1 Orlando City SC (7-12-8, 29 pts.)
Aug. 29, 2015
Citrus Bowl – Orlando, Fla.
Attendance: 28,921
Scoring Summary:
CHI – David Accam (Razvan Cocis) 30’
ORL – Eric Gehrig (own goal) 37’
Misconduct:
ORL – Luke Boden (caution) 32’
CHI – Eric Gehrig (caution) 43’
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (caution) 77’
ORL – Carlos Rivas (caution) 83’
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Matt Polster, Eric Gehrig, Jeff Larentowicz ©, Joevin Jones, Patrick Nyarko (Harry Shipp 60’), Razvan Cocis, Michael Stephens, David Accam, Kennedy Igboananike, Gilberto (Jason Johnson 60’)
Subs not used: Jon Busch, Chris Ritter, Matthew Watson, Greg Cochrane, Lovel Palmer
Shots: 9; Shots On Goal: 2; Saves: 2; Fouls: 3; Corner Kicks: 4; Offsides: 1.
Orlando City SC: Tally Hall; Corey Ashe, Aurelien Collin, David Mateos, Luke Boden; Darin Ceren, Kaka, Cristian Higuita (Servando Carrasco 86’), Lewis Neal, Carlos Rivas; Cyle Larin (Pedro Ribeiro 82’)
Subs not used: Earl Edwards Jr., Tommy Redding, Eric Avila, Bryan Rochez, Danny Mwanga
Shots: 12; Shots On Goal: 2; Saves: 1; Fouls: 14; Corner Kicks: 9; Offsides: 4.
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Assistant Referees: Kermit Quisenberry, Kevin Klinger
Fourth Official: Marcos de Oliveira
