Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy Settle For Draw Against Chicago Fire

Jun 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan (10), left. trades jerseys with Chicago Fire defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (34) after their game ended in a 1-1 tie at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Landon Donovan continued his scoring hotstreak as Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy salvaged a 1-1 draw with Frank Yallop’s Chicago Fire on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Los Angeles improve to 4-3-4 (16 points) with the result, while Chicago improve to 2-3-7 (13 points). Here are six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for Sunday’s match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chicago Fire.

1. Out of the gates early

Early on in the first half, a through ball for Robbie Keane was called back for offsides seconds in. Chicago’s Quincy Amarikwa has his first attempt in the fourth minute sail high and out. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado was cautioned in the seventh minute for a foul on Keane. The first 15 minutes saw both teams attack, attack, attack, with fouls starting to mount up.

2. More field goals for Chicago

Rookie Grant Ward was hoping to get on the scoresheet 17 minutes in for Chicago, but Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo was there to make the save. Amarikwa’s next attempt in the 19th minute was high and out again. In the 23rd minute, a cross from Juninho intended for Stefan Ishizaki was cleared by Sean Johnson. In the 25th minute, the Fire’s Dilly Duka skies another attempt on goal. Robbie Keane was called back for offsides in the 29th minute after receiving a through ball from A.J. DeLaGarza.

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3. Fire come close late but can’t put it away

Amarikwa’s rough night continued in the 32nd minute, with another attempt going over and out. In the 37th minute, Duka has another attempt sail high and out. In the 43rd minute, the Galaxy backline Jaime Penedo had some crossed wires but Leonardo was able to clear a big chance for the Fire. Robbie Rogers came in for Dan Gargan after he came down due to an injury.

4. Jaime Penedo stands tall in the second half

Early on in the second half, the Los Angeles Galaxy were looking to get on the scoresheet early in the stanza with Juninho leading the way, but his shot was blocked in the 46th minute. In the 49th minute, Lovel Palmer took a chance on goal but missed wide left. In the 59th minute, Penedo made a big save on Ward, who continued his strong shift for the Fire.

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5. Chicago take lead on a spot kick

In the 61st minute, Keane had another shot on goal but it was blocked by Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson. In the 66th minute, Juninho fouled Amarikwa in the penalty box, allowing Chicago’s Jeff Larentowicz to score for the Fire in the 68th minute.

6. Donovan continues scoring hotstreak

A number of substitutes came in for both teams: LA’s Gyasi Zardes relieved Baggio Husidic in the 70th minute, Chicago’s Benji Joya came in for Dilly Duka in the 71st minute of play, and the Fire’s Juan Luis Anangono came in for Amarikwa in the 71st. Anangono in particular nearly cashed in at the 73rd minute but missed wide right. Landon Donovan got in on goal on a pass from Rogers to make it 1-1, hitting top shelf in the 74th minute of play.

Donovan himself would get cautioned in the 76th minute for a foul followed by an argument. In the 77th minute, Zardes fancied a chance on goal but his attempt was blocked. Larentowicz had a shot in the 81st minute saved by Penedo. Marcelo Sarvas returned to first team action in the 84th minute for Juninho after spending time with the LA Galaxy II. Matt Watson came in for Lovel Palmer in the 85th minute in a final throw of the dice for Frank Yallop. Penedo nearly cost the Galaxy the point split in the 86th minute but was able to stay composed and maintain his hold on the ball. Benji Joya had one last opportunity to salvage a win for the Fire, but his attempt was blocked in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time.

Team Statistics

Chicago in red, Los Angeles in blue

Chicago Fire Player Ratings

Sean Johnson 5, Bakary Soumare 5, Gonzalo Segares 5, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado 5.5, Lovel Palmer 5, Chris Ritter 6, Dilly Duka 5, Grant Ward 7, Harrison Shipp 6, Jeff Larentowicz 8, Quincy Amarikwa 6, Benji Joya 4, Juan Luis Anangono 4, Matt Watson NR
Los Angeles Galaxy Player Ratings

Jaime Penedo 7, A.J. DeLaGarza 6, Dan Gargan 4, Leonardo 6, Tommy Meyer 6, Baggio Husidic 5, Juninho 5, Kenney Walker 6, Stefan Ishizaki 7, Landon Donovan 7.5, Robbie Keane 6, Robbie Rogers 8, Gyasi Zardes 4, Marcelo Sarvas NR