Przemyslaw Frankowski's early goal was canceled out by a Kai Wagner free-kick later in the first half, but Chicago Fire FC held off the Philadelphia Union for almost an hour, including extended second-half stoppage time, to earn a 1-1 draw at Subaru Park on Sunday evening.

The Union piled on the pressure early on, with Cory Burke appearing energized and upbeat after returning from a Gold Cup run that concluded in a quarterfinal loss to the United States. Boris Sekulic, though, delivered some set-piece magic on a diagonal ball into Frankowski against the flow of play. The rest was up to the Polish winger, who smashed it past an unfortunate Andre Blake, who had also recently returned from Gold Cup action with Jamaica.

Both managers then played substitution chess, with the Union bringing on Ilsinho, who was making his first home appearance in almost three months, and the Fire opting for Robert Beric, who was making his 16th appearance of the season but just his second as a substitute. When Wagner found Ilsinho unmarked at the far post with a frozen-rope ball in the 77th minute, it appeared like the Ilsinho sub might pay off, but the super-sub couldn't gain enough control on his volley at goal.

Even with more than ten minutes of extra time remaining and Philadelphia pressing for a game-winning goal, the Fire held on for a 1-1 draw, earning their first away point of the season.

Despite the fact that it is a step toward their objective of making the playoffs, Philadelphia will be the team that is most dissatisfied, as they were unable to take advantage of playing 11-on-10 for an extended length of time. While Chicago had plenty of chances to win, a win on the road against a quality Eastern Conference opponent is a step in the right direction.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Trey Madara]