Columbus Crew SC faced the Chicago fire for the second time in as many matches, marking the 100th MLS regular-season starts for both goalkeeper Steve Clark and midfielder Justin Meram. Playing this time at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., it was forward Adam Jahn's brace that accounted for both Crew SC's goals in the 2-2 draw.
Jahn opened the scoring with a goal inside the first 15 minute. He outran Chicago's backline — as all four defenders were sucked in toward Meram at the center circle — in pursuit of a throughball, catching up to it at the top of the 18-yard box. With only Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson in front of him, the 25-year-old midseason acquisition slotted his right-footed finish into the back of the net.
HIGHLIGHT: Jahn opens the scoring in the 13th minute
Crew SC entered halftime with the one-goal advantage after firing two shots and sharing 48 percent possession.
Entering the second stanza, the home side replaced John Goossens with David Arshakyan. The change propelled Chicago forward, with Arshakyan splitting Crew SC's backline in a rush toward goal. The scramble inside the box forced an own goal, leveling the match in the 53rd minute.
Just four minutes later, Chicago found a second. This time, Michael de Leeuw finished his chance to give the Fire the lead.
A flurry of substitutions — including Cristian Martinez, Conor Casey and Corey Ashe — pushed Crew SC forward toward the final 15 minutes of the match. It was Jahn that found the equalizer and completed his brace with a sublime spinning volley off a centering of the ball at the top of the 18-yard box.
HIGHLIGHT: Jahn volleys home his brace
Neither side could find a winning goal in the closing 10 minutes. With the loss, the Black & Gold suffered elimination from the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Thursday night was also Clark's 100th consecutive MLS regular season start, having played and started every match since 2014.
Crew SC will close its regular season with back-to-back away matches, first at the New York Red Bulls on Sunday with a 3 p.m. kickoff and then at New York City FC on October 23 with at 4 p.m. kickoff.
