• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Chicago sets new MLS record for ties against D.C.

Aug 19, 2011 - 3:27 AM Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - Chicago set a new Major League Soccer record Thursday night with its 15th tie of the season, and with 10 matches to go, the Fire could put the mark out of reach.

Sebastian Grazzini scored in the 59th minute for Chicago, but the Fire allowed a 73rd-minute goal from Josh Wolff to settle for a 1-1 tie against D.C. United at Toyota park.

Chicago broke the old record set just last season by FC Dallas, but unlike the 2010 MLS Cup runner-up, the Fire have not nearly as many wins. Dallas also won 12 games last season.

The Fire (2-7-15) have just two victories all year - and one at home - and are last in the Eastern Conference on just 21 points from 24 games. Only expansion Vancouver Whitecaps FC has fewer points with 18.

D.C. became the ninth team to reach 10 draws this year, meaning half the clubs have already reached double digits and six of the remaining eight enter a full weekend of matches sitting on nine ties.

United (7-6-10) improved to 3-1-4 in its last eight, and moved into a tie with Red Bull New York for fifth in the tight Eastern Conference, as both clubs are just six points back of the first-place Columbus Crew.

Chicago was the better side in the opening 45 minutes, as Dominic Oduro forced a number of saves from United goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Oduro forced a save early and hit the post in the 14th.

Marco Pappa forced a save from Hamid midway through the half, and Oduro marked his forgetful first half when he missed a tap-in at the left post in the 43rd.

Hamid was injured on the final play of the first half, and left the match with a hamstring injury. Steve Cronin started the second, playing just second match of the season, and Chicago beat the backup in the 59th.

United failed to clear a ball from the middle of the box and it dropped toward an open Grazzini, who struck a left-footed volley from 12 yards for his second goal in four matches with the Fire.

But the Fire failed to stop ex-Chicago player Wolff, who came off the bench to score for United with under 20 minutes to go. Santino Quaranta slide a pass to Wolff, who stayed just onside, and then sent a shot off the bar and in for his fifth goal of the season.

Neither side created a true scoring chance over the closing minutes of regular time and four minutes of stoppage time, and United left with an important road point while the Fire settled for yet another draw.

Both teams return to MLS play Sunday, with Chicago hosting Toronto FC and D.C. visiting Sporting Kansas City.