The Chicago Fire and Los Angeles Galaxy played to a 1-1 tie Saturday night in the PHX Soccer Clasico held at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University. The Galaxy opened scoring early in the first half with a goal from midfielder Josh Tudela but Fire midfielder Marco Pappa recorded the game-tying goal in the 30th minute of play.
The Galaxy took an early lead with a goal in the fourth minute courtesy of midfielder Josh Tudela. Los Angeles earned a corner in the second minute of play and while the Fire defense cleared the initial opportunity, Tudela collected the ball at the top of the box and put a shot just inside the right post for the early one goal advantage.
Midfielder Marco Pappa added a goal for the Fire in the 30th minute to level the score. Forward Patrick Nyarko sent a cross from deep in the right corner to Pappa who was positioned inside the 18-yard box. Pappa took a touch to control the ball and placed his shot in the left upper 90 past goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
The Fire continued to press the Galaxy and in 54th minute, forward Brian McBride nearly scored with a diving header directed toward the right post. Ricketts made a diving save to keep the score even. Just ten minutes later, McBride sent a cross from the left side of the field into the six-yard box for midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco. The Fire's designated player took a touch and looked towards goal but the Galaxy defense cleared the ball to maintain the tie through the final whistle.
The Fire will return to Chicago tomorrow and train at TOYOTA PARK next week in preparation for their 12th season in Major League Soccer. The Fire open the 2009 MLS season against FC Dallas on March 21 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco Texas (FOX Chicago, 7:30 p.m. CT). The Fire host the New York Red Bulls for their home opener at TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. CT. Tickets are available now by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or clicking on the TICKETS link on the club's official website, www.chicago-fire.com.
Scoring Summary
LA - Josh Tudela (UA) 4'
CHI - Marco Pappa (Patrick Nyarko) 30'
Misconduct Summary:
CHI - Gonzalo Segares (caution) 84'
FIRE: 1-Jon Busch (28-Nick Noble, 60'), 25-Gonzalo Segares, 32-Dasan Robinson, 4-Bakary Soumare, 5-Tim Ward, 21-Justin Mapp (10-Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 61'), 22-Wilman Conde, 7-Logan Pause, 16-Marco Pappa (18-Mike Banner, 76') , 20-Brian McBride, 14-Patrick Nyarko (23-Stefan Dimitrov, 86')
GALAXY: 1-Donovan Ricketts (12-Josh Saunders, 63'), 28-Sean Franklin (5-Yohance Marshall, 86'), 4-Omar Gonzalez, 22-Tony Sanneh, 20-A.J. DeLaGarza, 7-Chris Klein, 19-Josh Tudela, 8-Dema Kovalenko, 18-Mike Magee (30-Kyle Patterson 64'), 9-Jovan Kirovski (27-Bryan Jordan 75'), 10-Landon Donovan
