In his first MLS match, Uruguayan forward Diego Chaves opened his MLS account with a 17th minute goal to help the Chicago Fire kickoff their 2011 MLS campaign in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. The Fire jumped out to an early lead. In the 17th minute Chaves showed his strength, holding up the ball before being fouled by Daniel Hernandez on the turn. Marco Pappa looped the ensuing free kick over the top of the defense only for the ball to be partially cleared to Michael Videira who headed the ball to Cory Gibbs in the center of the area. Gibbs' powerful, bouncing effort was parried away by FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Chaves pounced on the loose ball and placed it into the empty net to tally his first MLS goal and give the Fire a 1-0 advantage. In a frenzied dash, Dallas retaliated just two minutes later when Zach Loyd broke through two Fire defenders to send a driven ball into the box. Rodriguez used his heel to re-direct Loyd's cross past Sean Johnson for the equalizer in the 19th minute. Chaves nearly added a second goal just four minutes into the second half. FC Dallas was unable to fully clear a Fire corner and Pappa found Chaves open inside the Dallas area. The 25-year-old forward's blast banged off the crossbar leaving the two sides level at 1-1. In the 55th minute, the Fire were given a man advantage when FC Dallas defender Brek Shea hauled down Gaston Puerari as he galloped into the offensive third. The referee ruled that the 21-year-old Dallas defender denied a goal scoring opportunity and was shown straight red. Puerari was on pace to join his countrymen and score his first MLS goal when he took the ball off of Hernandez and broke in on the FC Dallas goal in the 60th minute. The fleet Uruguayan maneuvered around Jackson and found himself alone with Hartman. The FC Dallas ‘keeper came up big, barely deflecting Puerari's side-footed shot on goal and leaving the match deadlocked at one goal apiece. The Fire continued to test Hartman until the final whistle. In the 90th minute, Fire captain Logan Pause smashed a 30-yard shot that Hartman deflected over the bar. In the final minute, Pappa struck a curving left-footed shot that Hartman dove to save and keep the two Brimstone Cup rivals level at 1-1. The Fire return to Chicago to host Opening Day at TOYOTA PARK against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 26 at 3:00 PM CT. Chicago Fire Season Tickets and single game tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com.
