BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The two teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings showed exactly why they will not be in the playoff picture after a lackluster draw at Toyota Park on Sunday.
Knowing only a win would keep them in tenuous contention for a place in the post-season, the Chicago Fire (5-8-18, 33 pts) failed to capitalize on the few chances they had as they extended their MLS tie record to 18. The Montreal Impact (6-18-7, 25 pts) will feel aggrieved by a questionable offside call which ruled out Jack McInerney’s wonderful 38th-minute overhead kick.
With the draw the Fire are now eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs.
The Fire were the first to threaten in the ninth minute, when Lovel Palmer’s beautifully weighted cross from the right found Quincy Amarikwa, whose header was spectacularly saved by Evan Bush.
Montreal’s Eric Miller was lucky to escape without any type of caution after a reckless challenge left Patrick Nyarko hurting in the 20th minute.
Gorka Larrea had two good opportunities for Frank Klopas’ men before the Impact were denied an opener in the 38th minute when McInerney was ruled offside.
Miller’s cross from the left picked out Justin Mapp, who in turn found McInerney and although his acrobatic overhead kick found the net, the goal was ruled out for an offside call against Mapp.
Frank Yallop’s men could have taken the lead two minutes before the break when Nyarko’s cross from the right found Amarikwa, his wayward header falling invitingly for Florent Sinama-Pongolle on the six yard line, but the Frenchman’s point-blank shot was superbly saved by Bush.
A drab second half produced few scoring chances, with former Fire midfielder Dilly Dukasetting Calum Mallace up in the 80th minute, but Sean Johnson was equal to his attempt.
A frantic final few minutes saw Fire substitute Matt Fondy almost set Gonzalo Segares up for a late winner while Johnson had to be alert at the other end to keep Impact sub Marco Di Vaioout as the sides had to settle for a point each.
Next up for the Fire is a road trip to Sporting Kansas City on Friday, while the Impact host the New England Revolution a day later.
Notes:
- With the draw, the Fire move to 2-2-4 all-time in regular season matches against the Impact.
- ‘Keeper Sean Johnson recorded two saves en route to the sixth shutout of the season.
- Defender Gonzalo Segares will miss the Oct. 10 match against Sporting Kansas City due to yellow card accumulation.
Chicago Fire 0 – 0 Montreal Impact
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Lovel Palmer, Jeff Larentowicz ©, Bakary Soumare, Gonzalo Segares; Patrick Nyarko (Sanna Nyassi 62’), Matthew Watson, Logan Pause, Alex (Harry Shipp 17’); Florent Sinama-Pongolle (Matt Fondy 79’), Quincy Amarikwa
Substitutes not used: Kyle Reynish, Patrick Ianni, Benji Joya, Chris Ritter
Montreal Impact: Evan Bush; Hassoun Camara, Matteo Ferrari ©, Heath Pearce, Eric Miller; Gorka Larrea, Calum Mallace, Dilaver Duka (Issey Nakajima-Farran 91’), Andres Romero, Justin Mapp (Felipe Martins 72’); Jack McInerney (Marco Di Vaio 65’)
Substitutes not used: Maxime Crepeau, Mamadou Danso, Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, Krzysztof Krol
Scoring Summary
N/A
Misconduct Summary
MTL – Hassoun Camara (caution) 65’
CHI – Gonzalo Segares (caution) 88’
Referee: Mark Geiger
Assistants: Chris Strickland, Mark Cahen
Fourth Official: Kevin Terry Jr.
Attendance: 17,915
