Filibustered: D.C. United 1, Chicago Fire 1
The Chicago Fire ended their four-game losing skid tonight, but couldn't manage to secure three points as they tied D.C. United on the road, 1-1. Goals from Christopher McVey and Kellyn Acosta either side of halftime filled out the scoresheet.
The storylines started in the hours leading up to kickoff when it became apparent that the Fire's star DP, Xherdan Shaqiri had not made the trip to Washington. Instead, he joined up early with the Swiss national team in St. Gallen, despite the official camp not starting until next Monday. The decision was made on Friday following discussions between the Fire and the Swiss federation.
When the game itself kicked off, Frank Klopas had a noticeable tactical U-turn in Shaqiri's absence. His team adjusted to a nominal 3-5-2 formation, with Tom Barlow making his first Fire start up top alongside DP Hugo Cuypers. Kellyn Acosta also wore the armband for the first time since arriving in the offseason, replacing primary captain Shaqiri and secondary captain Fabian Herbers, who started from the bench.
D.C., who themselves had failed to win their last two, started on the front foot in the first half, led by talisman Christian Benteke. Carlos Terán had a strong opening period, though, and largely kept the former Premier League Golden Boot contender quiet. D.C.'s breakthrough would not come from Benteke, as it came from defender Christopher McVey from a header. The hosts took a 1-0 lead into the break while outshooting the Fire 8-2 in the first half.
Klopas' halftime team talk seemed to work, however, as the Fire came out for the second half with more energy than they had finished the first. In the 53rd minute, Kellyn Acosta played a one-two with Hugo Cuypers, and the U.S. international tucked the ball past goalkeeper Alex Bono at the near post. It was Acosta's second goal of the season and only the Fire's third in their last eight games.
Though the Fire were largely the better team for the remainder of the match, Bono put in a strong performance and denied the visitors a winning goal on numerous occasions. Andrew Gutman, playing as a more advanced left wingback in the 3-5-2 shape, had several looks at goal, but found the target just once and had it saved.
Maren Haile-Selassie, who recently recovered from injury, was introduced as a second half substitute. Typically a winger, he was deployed as a nominal number nine. Haile-Selassie had a pair of half-chances in the final stages, but could not make the most of them, and the game finished 1-1.
Despite playing their best 45 minutes of the last six weeks, the Fire couldn't prevent their winless run from being extended to eight games. A second-half resurgence will certainly provide reassurance, though, as they prepare for tough tests at home next week against Orlando City and the LA Galaxy.
