Chicago Fire FC II earned its third consecutive point in a 1-1 draw against Huntsville City FC on Friday night at SeatGeek Stadium. Harold Osorio scored his second goal in as many matches with a penalty kick in the 57th minute. Following the conclusion of regulation time, the visitors came away with the shootout victory and an additional point.
Chicago jumped out of the gate with more possession and chances early on. Riding high from his performance in Minnesota, Omari Glasgow constantly harassed the Huntsville back line. In the 22nd minute, the Guyanese winger delivered a pinpoint service to the edge of the box that found the feet of a wide-open Billy Hency. But the forward could not corral the pass and blasted it over the crossbar.
As the half wound on and the teams battled in the midfield, the stalemate was finally broken in stoppage time. Huntsville defender Josh Drack stretched for a loose ball before being brought down in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty kick to the visitors. Midfielder Isaiah Johnston stepped up and rifled his shot well past Jeff Gal’s reach to open the scoring. The referee blew her whistle before the ball was put in play and the Fire went into the locker room with a one-goal deficit.
The Fire came out of the break with a sense of urgency that soon paid off. Osorio took control of the midfield early on, winning a corner kick after a scintillating run to the box in the 54th minute. As Luka Prpa delivered the corner kick, Billy Hency was fouled in the box, awarding a penalty kick to the Fire. Osorio took the shot and left Huntsville goalkeeper John Berner with no option as the Fire equalized.
Trying to bounce back from Osorio’s goal, the visitors took the initiative. Following a series of dangerous counter attacks, Nicky Law squared up a shot in the 64th minute that Jeff Gal was able to save.
The goalkeeper kept the Fire in the match, winning several balls in the air on set pieces and once again delivering a crucial diving stop in the 84th minute off Kemy Amiche. His four saves in the match made a difference late, as the Fire would close out the match with its own series of chances, including a near miss from Michael Nesci in the 89th minute.
In the shootout, the Fire lost the coin toss for the third consecutive match, allowing Huntsville to shoot first. The experienced visitors scored all four of their shots, putting the pressure on the Fire to be perfect. But Berner had one save, and the Fire’s sole missed shot was enough to hand Huntsville an additional point despite Osorio’s make.
The Fire next travel north to Canada to face Toronto FC II at York Lions Stadium on Sunday, May 21. The match will be streamed on MLSNEXTPro.com.
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