Houston Dynamo vs Chicago Fire Final Score: Dynamo fail to impress in 1-1 draw with Fire

The Dynamo packed a lot into their July 3 game against the Chicago Fire. Before the game even got underway fans piled into the Bud Light Beer Garden to hear local legend Bun B perform on Armed Forces Apprecation Night. Unfortunately, the game wouldn't be as satisfying as the team only came away with one point against the Fire and the post-game fireworks were the only real fireworks of the night.

The team kicked the night off with a number of changes to the starting lineup. Brad Davis returned to the starting lineup after missing time due to a bone bruise. The most notable change, however, was Joe Willis starting in goal for Tyler Deric who was out due to illness.

The Fire came out hot as it looked like they may have had a goal in the fourth minute as Razvan Cocis' shot hit the underside of the crossbar. The ball came down right on the goal line and the referee ruled that it was not a goal. Ten minutes later the Dynamo would get their first chance of the night as Giles Barnes and Will Bruin linked up as Barnes crossed the ball to a quick moving Bruin. The striker's feet failed him as his took one hit on the ball and sent it wide of the net. Ricardo Clark had several chances at the net but was stopped each time by Sean Johnson. Despite several chances off of set pieces late in the first half the Dynamo weren't able to make any headway with the score line.

The Dynamo finally made some headway in the second half thanks to Alex Lima. The Brazilian was able to make a run untracked as Brad Davis crossed the ball in the box and as Bruin and Sean Johnson went for the ball it came out leaving Alex free to put it into the back of the net. Jumping out to a 1-0 lead it looked like the Dynamo might be on their way to collecting a much-needed three points.

The Fire weren't done yet as few minutes later Lovel Palmer tried to get off a pass to Mike Magee only to have it blocked by the Dynamo. It was followed by a Fire corner that saw Joe Willis miss the ball as he tried to punch it away. Patrick Nyarko got a head on it, but it went over the top of the crossbar. Nyarko wouldn't be denied in the 72nd minute however as he would level the game. Cochrane crossed the ball to Nyarko who collided with Willis as he made the save on the ball. Willis wasn't quick enough on the rebound as Nyarko found the ball again and put it in the back of the net draw the Fire level with the Dynamo 1-1.

The Dynamo made several attacking subs after the Fire goal hoping to regain the lead and almost saw immediate results. Leonel Miranda found Mauro Manotas, the hero of Tuesday night's Open Cup game, but the 19-year old couldn't get his shot off. In the end the subs proved unable to jump start the team enough as neither team found the back of the net again and the two sides played to a 1-1 draw.

The Dynamo now go on the road for two games stopping first in California to play the San Jose Earthquakes on July 10.

Lineups

Houston Dynamo- Willis, Rodriguez, Horst, Taylor, Beasley, Lopez (53' Alex), Garrido, Clark, Davis (73' Miranda), Barnes, Bruin (73' Manotas)

Chicago Fire- Johnson, Palmer, Gehrig, Adailton (71' Ritter), Cochrane, Shipp, Cocis, Polster, Johnson (46' Nyarko), do Prado, Igboananike (59' Magee)