Fire can’t win at home

ball over the bar.

Disaster almost struck in the 19th minute from the poor play of Woolard, the seldom used defender only making is 3rd start of the year. Indecisiveness caused him to lose the ball just inside the half which was quickly picked up by Columbus, finding Gaven deep down the right.

In the 22nd minute Husidic raced clean down the right with some cleaver work, playing the ball into Rolfe who eventually has his shot deflected out for a corner. It was the overall quality play from the rookie that has many Fire supporters excited.

In the 25th minute as series of chances that should have put the Fire up failed to break the deadlock. First it was Marco Papa doing well working in from the right eluding a defender chipping the GK from 4 yards out, only for a defender to clear the ball off the line and out for a corner. The resulting two corners required Hesmer to make two quality saves to keep the score level.

In the 38th after some great work from McBride on the left, Papa found himself through on goal with only the keeper to beat, however his touch failed him and he kicked the ball straight at him.

It was then Kennedy again who was at the center of attention, this time in the 44th minutes. Baggio made way to the top of the box after racing onto a well time chest pass from McBride at nearly half, only for Kennedy to fail to acknowledge the blatant shirt pull.

The Fire started the 2nd half with the same lineup, opening with an attacking flare that resulted in several untidy challenges by poor and at times desperate Columbus defense.

In the 58th minute a nice give and go between Ward and Blanco found Ward advancing from the right through on goal to the six where his off balance shot went wide. A minute latter it was Blanco with a superb strike that required the very best from Hesmer.

The buildup started off a Bush goal kick which hit McBride who chested down the pass finding Blanco free on the right.

Jon Busch’s only real work of the 2nd half came in the 72nd minute when an offside Steven Lenhart rushed onto ...