McBride's late header rescues Fire

The Fire (currently in 2nd) are in a heated race for first place in the East, and currently have the 4th seed in the playoffs. With just three games left of the season, the city of Chicago seems to be embracing the team (even more), as Fire fever has spread...like a wildfire, throughout the Chicago media. Examples of this include: my seeing a man wearing a Fire jersey on the train (and he was not Mexican), numerous Chicago Fire Google Alerts on my email, and an article in the Tribune that included a picture. Unfortunately, the team itself has not been performing to the level of play they are accustomed to, with their last three matches ending in a draw.

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Poor Fire defense equaled plenty of chances for the visitors in the first 13 minutes of play. And then Chicago got lucky. McBride sent the ball into the box for Patrick Nyarko. Toronto defender Nick Garcia turned to clear the ball out of danger, but instead knocked into the back of the net, tying the match at 1-1.

Chicago took five shots in the first half, but none of them were on goal. Justin Mapp had a near miss for Chicago in the 19th minute, sending the ball inches wide of the left post. In the 32nd minute, Attakora took down Nyarko. Mike Banner sailed the free kick over the crossbar and out.