Eddie Johnson scored the game-tying goal in the second half for the Kansas City Wizards, but it was the Chicago Fire that, perhaps, salvaged the point from a 1-1 draw between the teams Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
Chad Barrett had given the Fire the lead after 18 minutes, but Johnson made up for a penalty kick miss in the first half with the equalizer just after the start of the second half. The Fire missed a glorious chance of their own later in the second half when Ivan Guerrero also missed a penalty kick.
The Wizards remained unbeaten at home this season, but looked like they might go on to score a game-winner sometime during the second half. The Wizards kept Chicago backed up in their own half for most of the game, leaving the Fire only occasional counter-attacks.
When the Fire did get the ball in the Wizards end during second-half stoppage time, they tried to possess the ball in the Wizards' end instead of attack.
Johnson tied the game for the Wizards in the 48th minute when tapped in the rebound of Davy Arnaud's shot from about five yards. Johnson, who scored in the season opener, is the first Wizards player to score two goals this season.
The Fire took the early lead when they capitalized after winning the ball from Wizards defender Shavar Thomas near the centerline in the 18th minute.
Chris Rolfe played the ball through the center of the Kansas City defense and found strike partner Barrett running unmarked. Barrett ran about 30 yards with the ball before shooting past Wizards goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi into the lower right hand corner of the goal.
After the Fire scored, the Wizards backed the Fire into their own half of the field. The Fire had only one shot on goal, Barrett's goal.
Kansas City had a chance to tie the game in the 27th minute after Fire defender Logan Pause tripped Arnaud in the Fire penalty area. Johnson stepped up to take the penalty kick but Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton saved Johnson's right-footed shot, which was struck with very little force.
The Wizards have not scored on either of their two penalty kicks this season. Josh Wolff's attempt against New England on April 15 was also saved.
Thornton saved shots from Arnaud in the 28th and 31st minutes. Both shots came from the same 45-degree angle in the left side of the penalty area. The Fire 'keeper was also called into action in the 45th minute when Wizards midfielder Jack Jewsbury blasted a right-footed shot from about 30 yards that Thornton tipped over the crossbar.
The Wizards kept up the pressure as the second half began and it paid off quickly with Johnson's goal. Arnaud did the most work on the play, working a one-two with Jack Jewsbury, who was at the top of the penalty area with his back to goal. Thornton did not hold Arnaud's shot, which rolled directly to Johnson.
The Fire had their best chance in the second half to score a second goal in the 67th minute when Jewsbury caught Justin Mapp's foot from behind in the penalty area. Ivan Guerrero took the resulting penalty kick whistled by referee Kevin Stott, but Oshoniyi saved the right-footed kick.
Robert Whitman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
