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Fire battle to a draw with Timbers

Saturday night's 1-1 home draw against the Portland Timbers might have been the best the Chicago Fire played in the first third of the MLS season.

That only shows how far the last-place Fire (2-5-5, 11 points) has to go heading into a couple of weeks off for Copa America.

"I think we're finally putting full 90s together as a team," second-year midfielder Matt Polster said. "During the beginning of the season, we were getting used to each other. I think we put in a good 65, 70 minutes in a game, and as we're growing as a team now, we're putting a full 90 together. We're working hard on both sides of the ball."

Fire coach Veljko Paunovic agreed.

"It was one of the best performances we've had this season," he said. "Of course we are getting better. The only thing is I think you get what you deserve. At the end you can say we have maybe a great game, but you have to win the games. And we have to learn to do that."

It's not just about learning to win, of course. It's also about having players capable of winning at this level. The Fire doesn't have those players, especially attacking players.

The speedy David Accam and Kennedy Igboananike can cause problems for an opposing defense, but they don't have much help. Brazilian forward Gilberto, a designated player, missed the match for personal reasons and is expected back June 6 with the rest of the group. But Gilberto hasn't scored yet this season.

The starting midfield of Polster, Razvan Cocis and Joao Meira is better at stopping an opposing team's attack than starting one for the Fire.

As Portland coach Caleb Porter pointed out, the Fire plays defensively and hopes to score off a counterattack.

Accam scored the Fire's goal Saturday. It came in the 20th minute, just two minutes after Diego Valeri gave Portland the lead.

The Fire had 17 shots and 6 on goal, which is more than usual this season, but it still had only 43.1 percent possession. That's not good enough.

The team still hasn't scored more than one goal in a game since the season opener. It has 10 goals in 11 games.

"We were close," Paunovic said. "All we can say now is we have to keep this spirit and continue to improve and believe."

After playing seven of their 17 MLS home games, the Fire has just 9 home points. And the Fire hasn't won on the road in nearly two years.

Seeing improvement is good. The Fire needs to see a lot more.

Follow Orrin on Twitter @Orrin_Schwarz

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