With the Portland Timbers controlling much of the play early in the first half, the Chicago Fire worked their way down on the counter. Forward Quincy Amarikwa collided with Timbers center back Norberto Paparatto in the box and the referee pointed to the spot for Chicago. Fire captain Jeff Larentowicz stepped to the spot and converted for a 1-0 Chicago lead.
After a flurry of chances to end the first half, the Timbers came out determined to find an equalizer in the second. Pushing the game forward, Jack Jewsbury beat a Chicago defender on the right with a clever ball to free Diego Valeri. Valeri found a wide open Darlington Nagbe at the top who fired a blast on frame. Chicago's Sean Johnson made the save but left a rebound for Gastón Fernández who pounced on it to equalize and make the score 1-1.
