SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Lenhart returned from a four-game injury absence to score in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time and lift the San Jose Earthquakes into a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.
Lenhart fired home from 20 yards, hammering a ball chested down by Chris Wondolowski to finally break through against Chicago’s defense. Till that point, Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson had kept MLS’s most prolific offense at bay with 10 saves.
The goal neutralized a 37th-minute strike from Chicago midfielder Chris Rolfe.
San Jose (13-5-5) moved two points clear of Real Salt Lake atop the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings.
Chicago (9-7-5) failed to win for the first time this season when scoring the first goal. The Fire had been 6-0-0 when taking a 1-0 lead.
