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Chivas holds Chicago to another draw

Jul 3, 2011 - 4:18 AM Carson, CA (Sports Network) - A nice volley from Chivas USA's Nick LaBrocca early in the second half forced the Chicago Fire to settle for its seventh draw in the last eight games as the two sides played to a 1-1 stalemate at The Home Depot Center on Saturday.

Dominic Oduro put the visitors on top after 26 minutes, but LaBrocca equalized less than two minutes into the second half, giving the Fire 12 draws already this season, just two short of the MLS single-season record of 14 set last season by FC Dallas.

Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy did well to keep out an effort from Oduro in the eighth minute, but the Chicago striker was not going to be denied midway through the opening half.

Oduro dashed down the left wing and past two Chicago defenders before slipping a shot inside far post beyond Kennedy.

LaBrocca rattled the crossbar five minutes later for Chivas, but Chicago nearly doubled its lead before the break as Kennedy made a save on Oduro at close range and needed defender Michael Umana to clear the rebound attempt from Patrick Nyarko off the goal line.

LaBrocca hit the crossbar again in the 47th minute, but this time it redirected into the net with a well-struck volley from 20 yards.

Chivas entered the match having lost its last three games, but the Goats nearly snatched all three points in the 90th minute when substitute Victor Estupinan sent a header on goal that needed a good reaction save from goalkeeper Sean Johnson to preserve a point for his team.