Columbus Crew SC had to settle for a point tonight in a game that they led from the 8th minute until the last. Kei Kamara continued his scintillating form in front of goal with his 8th and 9th of the season and also scoring the Crew’s 500th home goal in their 303rd regular season game.
Crew SC dominated the early exchanges with the Chicago Fire players looking leggy after their bus ride down. The first goal of the game came early in the 8th minute after Justin Meram delivered a defense splitting pass to set Ethan Finlay free who crossed for Kamara to slide home.
The goal woke up the Fire, who started to enjoy more of the game. Their best moment resulted from a Steve Clark intercepted pass, who has been living dangerously all season when playing the ball from defense. From the resulting corner David Accam hit a volley from the edge of the area that Clark saved well down to his right.
As the second half started Columbus upped their game and doubled the lead on 55 minutes. Federico Higuain’s corner was flicked on at the near post by Kevan George and Kamara was free to head it home.
Chicago responded immediately with some help from a deflected cross on 58 minutes. Kennedy Igboananike raced down the left and his deflected cross looped up and Accam was the quickest to react and head beyond a static Clark.
The introduction of Quincy Amarikwa for the Fire and the committal of players forward for the equalizer opened up the game, allowing Columbus to hit on the break and both Meram and Kamara brought good saves from Jon Busch. As the game was coming to the end Crew SC started to seat deeper and the impressive Amarikwa came close on 90 minute, striking the post with a powerful drive.
The equalizer did come on 94 minutes and this time it was Crew old boy Eric Gehrig as the supplier. He was given time on the right to deliver a cross for Jason Johnson to head home the equalizer.
