Fire earn first point of season in tie

Posted March 16, 2013 6:37 pm

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Fire managed to earn their first point in three games this year despite remaining scoreless, tying Sporting Kansas City 0-0 on Saturday.

Chicago (0-2-1) looked poised to break its scoring drought when Dan Paladini got free in front of Sporting’s goal in the 90th minute, but Jimmy Nielsen made the sliding save to preserve his first shutout of the year.

Sporting (1-1-1) went scoreless on 20 shots in its home opener, despite a 73 percent to 27 percent advantage in possession.

Kansas City had two late chances to win against the defensive-minded Fire, but second-half substitute Soony Saad put his shot just left in the 78th minute and Graham Zusi shot high after getting free just outside the 6-yard box in the 86th.

Sean Johnson made three saves for Chicago, earning his first shutout of the year.

Two of three home openers for Sporting since its 2011 rebranding have been scoreless draws against the Fire.

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