CHARLESTON, S.C. (Feb. 16, 2019) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club opened the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup with a 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew SC at MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Fire opened scoring in the 16th minute of play when midfielder Aleksandar Katai turned and slipped a pass into space for midfielder Djordje Mihailovic. Quickly reacting to the pass, Mihailovic unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, beating Crew SC goalkeeper Zack Steffen to provide the Fire with a 1-0 lead.
Ten minutes later, Crew SC managed to equalize when a cross into the box from defender Waylon Francis connected with forward Gyasi Zardes, who nodded the ball into the back of the net from close range.