FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Milton Rodriguez scored in the 19th minute to help FC Dallas escape with a 1-1 tie against the Chicago Fire in the season opener for both teams on Saturday night.
Rodriguez redirected a pass from Zach Loyd with his right heel into the left corner of the net from just inside the top of the goalie’s box.
Diego Chaves, making his MLS debut, scored in the 17th minute after he rebounded a deflected save off the right hand of goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and scored from 8 yards away.
Chicago’s Cory Gibbs had the initial shot.
Loyd started the game in place of Jair Benitez, who missed the game with a suspension for spitting on an opposing player in the team’s exhibition game against Houston on February 12th.
