BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.
(March 31, 2018)
–
The Chicago Fire rallied twice from one-goal deficits to earn a 2-2 draw against the Portland Timbers at Toyota Park on Saturday.
HIGHLIGHTS | MLS MATCHCENTER
Bastian Schweinsteiger had two assists while Nemanja Nikolic and Brandon Vincent supplied the goals for the Fire (0-2-1, 1 pt.). The Fire trailed 2-1 late in the second half before Schweinsteiger picked Vincent out for a headed equalizer in the 85th minute.
Portland took an early lead thanks to a counterattack goal from Diego Valeri in the 6th minute. The Timbers capitalized on a giveaway near midfield, allowing Sebastian Blanco time and space while entering the attacking third. Blanco then slotted a pass to Valeri on the right and the reigning league MVP finished from there.
Nikoilc equalized for the Fire 5 minutes into the second half. Schweinsteiger tapped a pass to Vincent on the left, and Nikolic slammed the ensuing cross into the net for his third goal of the season.
Portland retook the lead 5 minutes later. An Andres Flores cross found Blanco’s head in the middle of the box, and Blanco nodded his shot inside the far post.
Vincent provided the final goal of the night in the final minutes. Schweinsteiger took a throw-in from Drew Conner near the sideline, then sent an arching cross to the back post. Vincent beat his mark to win the header, bouncing his shot into the net for his first goal of the season.
Rookie midfielder Diego Campos made his first career MLS appearance, entering as a substitute for Aleksandar Katai at halftime.
The Fire return to action on Saturday, April 7 against Columbus Crew SC at Toyota Park. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT on MLS LIVE and Univision Deportes 1200AM.
Chicago Fire 2:2 Portland Timbers
March 31, 2018 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 13,678
Scoring Summary:
POR – Diego Valeri (Sebastian Blanco) 6’
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (Brandon Vincent, Bastian Schweinsteiger) 50’
POR – Sebastian Blanco (Andres Flores) 55’
CHI – Brandon Vincent (Bastian Schweinsteiger) 84’
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Aleksandar Katai (caution) 12’
POR – Diego Valeri (caution) 52’
Chicago Fire:
Richard Sanchez; Kevin Ellis (Alan Gordon 75’), Johan Kappelhof, Christian Dean, Brandon Vincent; Dax McCarty ©, Tony Tchani (Drew Conner 59’); Elliot Collier, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Aleksandar Katai (Diego Campos HT); Nemanja Nikolic.
Shots:
12;
Shots On-Goal:
3;
Fouls:
9;
Saves:
1;
Offsides:
5;
Corners:
7.
Portland Timbers:
Jake Gleeson; Marco Farfan (Vytautas Andriuskevicious 82’), Larrys Mabiala, Bill Poni Tuiloma, Zarek Valentin; Diego Chara, Andres Flores (Julio Cascante 87’), Christhian Paredes; Diego Valeri ©, Sebastian Blanco; Fernando Adi (Samuel Armenteros 90+1’).
Shots:
8;
Shots On-Goal:
3;
Fouls:
9;
Saves:
1;
Offsides:
2;
Corners:
2.
