The Montreal Impact and the Chicago Fire played out a 1-1 draw in their MLS clash on Saturday.
The home side started well and could have taken the lead in the 12th minute when Felipe Martins fired a volleyed effort at goal from outside the area, but Sean Johnson made a great save to deny him.
Chicago hit back and created an opening as Lovel Palmer was released down the flank and he cut the ball back across the box for Jeff Larentowicz, who blasted his effort over the bar at the back post.
The visitors went close again minutes later as Palmer raided down the right and passed the ball to Patrick Nyarko in the box, but his effort was beaten away by Troy Perkins.
Montreal took the lead just before half time when Marco di Vaio released Jack McInerney down the middle and the striker raced through on goal before firing an effort low past Johnson.
After the break, Chicago got an equaliser as Quincy Amarikwa fired in from close range after Mike Magee had lifted the ball back into the six-yard box from a broken down set piece.
Magee almost put the Fire ahead but Perkins was able to react quickly before the striker could pounce on Larentowicz's knockdown inside the six-yard box.
The Fire pressed late on but couldn't find the winner as Magee and Amarikwa both had efforts that were saved by Perkins and were forced to settle for the draw.
Simon Sinclair
