The game in 100 words (or less): Two teams struggling in Major League Soccer met at BBVA Compass Stadium, where the visiting Chicago Fire were able to take a point from a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo. It was a tactical battle between managers Frank Yallop and Owen Coyle, as second half substitutes from both sides scored the goals. After Alex gave the Dynamo a lead, Patrick Nyarko drew Chicago level with less than 20 minutes to play, as the Fire did deserve at least a point from the match.
Three moments that mattered
4′ — Ball somehow stays out off Cocis’ shot — Razvan Cocis had a great opportunity to put Chicago ahead early into the match, but somehow his shot didn’t cross the line. Cocis connected off a corner kick, but his shot hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced on the goal line before being cleared.
56′ — Alex opens the scoring for Houston — The Dynamo played a good combination of passes on the right side leading to a cross in the box from Brad Davis. The ball squeaked through to Alex, who tapped home at the back post.
72′ — Nyarko equalizes for Chicago — Patrick Nyarko hit the crossbar earlier in the match, and he finally got on the scoresheet in the 72nd minute. Nyarko’s first attempt to stuff home a cross was stopped, but he got his own rebound to give Chicago a point.
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Man of the match: Patrick Nyarko — Nyarko came on at halftime and ended up scoring the equalizer for Chicago. The Ghanaian was involved in the Fire attack throughout the second half.
LINEUPS
Houston Dynamo: Willis, Rodriguez, Horst, Taylor, Beasley, Lopez (Alex, 53′), Garrido, Clark, Davis (Miranda, 77′), Barnes, Bruin (Manotas, 78′)
Goal: Alex (56′)
Chicago Fire: Johnson, Cochrane, Adailton (Ritter, 71′), Gehrig, Palmer, Johnson (Nyarko, 46′), Polster, Cocis, Shipp, Igboananike (Magee, 59′), Guly
Goal: Nyarko (72′)
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