The Chicago Fire were presented with a golden opportunity to win their fifth straight match on Sunday night, as referee Ted Unkel produced straight red cards to two Orlando City SC players.
But the visiting Fire were strangely complacent and had to walk away from Orlando City Stadium with just a point, as Will Johnson led a defiant resistance effort that earned the Lions a hard-won draw.
Rafael Ramos drew the first ejection for a collision with Brandon Vincent just 26 minutes into the game, and Antonio Nocerino got his walking orders for a high, straight leg into Matt Polster in the 66th.
But Chicago could not make them pay, despite clanging the woodwork twice in second-half injury time.
Goals
- None
Three Things
PURPLE IN RED
: Sunday marked Ramos' first start of the season and just his third in the past year, due to a long, frustrating battle with hamstring issues. So it was bitterly ironic that he lasted less than half an hour, thanks to a red-card decision that will be hotly debated in the days ahead. The two reds brought back memories of OCSC's litany of ejections in their inaugural MLS season two years ago. The sense of injustice was palpable in the Lions' new home.
Next Up
- ORL: U.S. Open Cup: Wednesday, June 14 – vs. Miami FC (7:30 pm ET)
- CHI: Saturday, June 10 – vs. Atlanta (4 pm ET | UniMĂ¡s, facebook.com in US, MLS LIVE in Canada)
