D.C. Runs Unbeaten Streak to 14

Eskandarian's Goal Gains Tie in Coach Nowak's Return: United 1, Fire 1

D.C. United's Freddy Adu, right, passes the ball around the Chicago Fire's Dasan Robinson at Toyota Park. (By Jonathan Daniel -- Getty Images)

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill., July 22 -- Alecko Eskandarian said he wasn't about to go down without a fight on Saturday. That attitude was just the spark D.C. United needed after 64 listless minutes of play against the host Chicago Fire.

Eskandarian, who came off the bench to start the second half, just missed scoring a goal in the 65th minute, then found the back of the net nine minutes later to lead United to a 1-1 tie before 15,094 fans at rain-drenched Toyota Park.

"I was on the bench in the first half and got to watch as they outworked us and outhustled us," said Eskandarian, who collected the ball in front of the Chicago goal, spun and scored. "When I came in I just wanted to give them some fight and some heart out there and my teammates picked it up a notch as well."

The tie extended D.C. United's unbeaten streak to 14 games and its MLS-best record to 13-1-6 (45 points). Chicago (5-7-6, 21 points) snapped a two-game losing streak.

Eskandarian appeared to score in the 65th minute in a sudden flurry in front of Fire goalie Zach Thornton. A shot, which appeared to come from defender Bobby Boswell, crossed halfway over the goal line before being kicked out.

Eskandarian said the try was actually his.

"When I hit it I was certain it was going to go in, but they kicked it out," said Eskandarian, who ended up with four shots on goal, his entire team's second-half production.

"It took a great juke by Alecko to equalize," Fire Coach Dave Sarachan said. "But other than the [65th minute] scramble, I think we dominated possession and thought we dominated more chances."

Chicago grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute when all-star reserve Nate Jaqua scored on what was initially ruled an unassisted goal. Jaqua entered the game in the 10th minute after starting forward Andy Herron suffered a left hamstring strain.

The play started with a free kick from midfielder Diego Gutierrez that sailed into a crowd outside United's goal box. The wet ball ricocheted to Jaqua, who fired a 12-foot shot past United goalie Troy Perkins. By halftime, officials credited Gutierrez with an assist.

United managed just one shot on goal through the first 64 minutes, but earned ample penalties including yellow cards on four players.

In the 65th minute, United had two shots in a burst of activity, including the Eskandarian try that partially crossed the goal line before being kicked away.

The Fire nearly claimed the game-winner in the 89th minute when midfielder Justin Mapp crossed to Jaqua in front of the United net. Jaqua had a clear shot on goal, but his shot went wide left.

Saturday's game marked a homecoming for United Coach Peter Nowak, who was greeted with handshakes and hugs from Fire players and officials as he stepped onto the Toyota Park field for the first time.

While a Fire executive in 2003, he had a hand in initial planning for the new stadium, the fourth soccer-specific venue in MLS.

It also gave Nowak and seven United players a chance to try out the field they'll play on when the MLS stars take on England's Chelsea FC in next month's all-star game in Bridgeview. Jaime Moreno, Christian Gomez and Perkins were voted all-star game starters.

"It's important for our future," said Nowak. "As a coach we'll have one or two practices together. I'm sure the players are going to take this game very seriously."

Nowak also had a hand in a halftime ceremony honoring former Fire general manager Peter Wilt as the fourth inductee into the team's hall of fame. Novak and two other members of the team's "Ring of Fire" selected Wilt for inclusion. Wilt, the team's original manager, was dismissed last year.

United Note: United travels to Real Salt Lake next Saturday, then hosts Columbus in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup series. The game is set for Aug. 1 at the Maryland SoccerPlex.