COLUMBUS - Today’s MLS opener for the Chicago Fire demonstrated one of the really fantastic side-effects of extremely low expectations: Even mediocre outcomes can be encouraging!
The Men in Red overcame a torpid first half and a committed performance from the host Crew to split the points with Columbus, 1-1. David Accam’s 73rd-minute knee-buckler balanced out Ryan Finley’s header in the 17th, as Chicago avoided losing its fourth consecutive season opener.
The Fire learned late in the week that DP midfielder Juninho, a massive part of the offseason rebuild, would not be eligible due to a red card picked up in his last LigaMX match - and the Men in Red played most of the first half as if the Brazilian’s absence had them morose.