A second-half comeback led by Bastian Schweinsteiger helped earn the Chicago Fire a point on the road against Toronto FC.
The Chicago Fire only added to the disappointing week it was for Toronto. After falling in the CONCACAF Champions League final mid-week in penalties, Toronto was unable to bounce back with a win at home.
It appeared Toronto was headed to victory in the first-half as they led 2-0 in the opening 21 minutes. Jonathan Osorio tucked home a goal just seven minutes in to give Toronto the early advantage and Victor Vazquez produced a wonderful chip 14 minutes later.
The goal is good! @OsoJ92 opens the scoring for @torontofc to make it 1-0. #TORvCHI https://t.co/HA8YVros9n
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 28, 2018
That one'll stick! Victor Vazquez doubles the lead for @torontofc with this chip. #TORvCHI https://t.co/1dhyQURJXS
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 28, 2018
The Chicago Fire failed to convert a penalty in the 38th minute when Alex Bono stopped Schweinsteiger. However, Schweinsteiger began the comeback for the Fire in the 68th minute when he headed home a goal off of a corner kick.
🔥 for @ChicagoFire as -- who else -- @BSchweinsteiger converts off a corner! Now it's @torontofc 2, @ChicagoFire 1. #TORvCHI https://t.co/pxQjDgbyhH
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 28, 2018
After Bono somehow kept out what looked to be the game-tying goal in the 91st minute it looked as if Toronto were headed to three points at home. But in the 94th minute, Alan Gordon powered home a goal from close range to earn a point for the Fire at the very last.
Catch up on an epic comeback for @ChicagoFire at @torontofc on Saturday afternoon. Watch full highlights from that 2-2 draw HERE: https://t.co/hKMJMbrE8H https://t.co/nxfd5n6lRX
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 29, 2018
Here are three things we learned from the match.
#3 Moving up
The Fire have slowly been moving their way up the Eastern Conference table over the past few weeks. In their last five matches, they have racked up eight points which has helped them recover from their slow start to 2018.
It seems each one of these matches during this stretch has been a close encounter. In fact, the Fire has not lost or won a match by more than one goal thus far.
They have executed very well and have managed to keep composure in the second half. With a few more bigger matches on the horizon. including Atlanta United next weekend, the Fire will continue to have their work cut out for them.