Houston Dynamo, Chicago Fire Fight to Scoreless Draw



Action was interse between the Dynamo and
the Fire. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco
Photography, Copyright 2012, All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2012 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 3, 2012) In a match that both teams desperately wanted to win, the Houston Dynamo and the Chicago Fire battled to a scoreless draw at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

Both teams had opportunities to put the goal in the net, but either superb defense or miscues on offense kept the ball from finding home between the goal posts.

In the fourth minute, midfielder Brad Davis got a shot of from 35-yards out, but it went wide.

Forward Macoumba Kandji tried to rip one off after some aggressive action in the Fire penalty box, but it went into the side netting.

Chicago had a shot in the 32th minute when midfielder Chris Rolfe got the ball behind the Dynamo defense.

He fed the ball to forward Dominic Oduro and he drilled it towards the goal.

Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall made a diving save to keep Chicago scoreless.

The Dynamo definitely had the edge with attempts on goal with a 5-2 advantage and they also shut down the Fire in total passes (275-223) and possession (55 %-44%).

Forward Will Bruin had two of the five shots with Davis, Kandji, and Adam Moffat each contributing one.

Midfielder Marco Pappa took both of the shots for the Fire.

Corey Ashe received a yellow card in the 39^th minute when he was called for an off the ball foul.

That was the only infraction in the game.

The Fire’ current streak of three straight wins ended with the tie, with the Dynamo extending its undefeated streak at BBVA Compass Stadium to seven (4-0-3).

In the second half, the shots either were wide, high or blocked by someone who was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time.

The tie earned both teams a single point, but did not move either one up in the standings.

The Fire and the Dynamo remain in fourth and fifth respectively in the Eastern Conference.

The Dynamo will have the 4^th of July off but will be back on the practice field on Thursday to prepare for their road game against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, July 7.