BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – As Veljko Paunovic reflected on the Chicago Fire’s 1-1 tie with reigning MLS Cup champions the Portland Timbers, he praised the on-field connection between David Accam and Kennedy Igboananike but insisted his team needs to show more improvement in the offensive third.
Coming into the game with just two wins, the Men In Red moved to 11 points (2-5-5) with an impressive display built on sound defense and a serious threat on the counter attack thanks largely to the pace and skill of Accam and Igboananike.
The pair combined for the Fire’s 20th-minute equalizer, Igboananike showing patience and vision squaring a ball for the ever-menacing Accam to slot home from close range ensuring the home side responded in a timely fashion to Diego Valeri’s opportunist opener two minutes earlier.