Chicago Fire continued their battle to avoid finishing bottom of the Eastern Conference by holding the Colorado Rapids to a goalless draw at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Chances proved to be rare in a clash dominated by defenders, but it was the Rapids who predictably looked most likely to break the deadlock in Denver.
Charles Eloundou came closest for Colorado in the first half when he forced Sean Johnson to tip his powerful strike from the edge of the box past the post.
Marlon Hairston then created an excellent opportunity for the hosts just before the interval with an inch-perfect pass, but Danny Mwanga failed to keep his shot down from a tight angle.
Chicago's best chance of the match arrived in the early stages of the second half, with Lovel Palmer heading wide under pressure from two Colorado defenders.
Johnson was forced into action once again just after the hour mark to deny Deshorn Brown, who had sliced open the Chicago defence with the help of Eloundou.
Colorado continued to apply most of the pressure in the closing stages, but a lack of quality in the final third proved to be crucial as Chicago held on for the draw.
Callum Mulvihill
