Chicago Fire rallys to draw with hapless Colorado Rapids

Forward Aleksandar Katai scored the tying goal in the 24th minute as the Chicago Fire rallied from a two-goal deficit to notch a 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Meanwhile, the Rapids ended a franchise-worst eight-game losing streak but their winless stretch increased to nine.

Forward Dominique Badji and defender Tommy Smith scored goals for Colorado. Chicago's first tally occurred on an own goal by Rapids defender Danny Wilson.

The Fire played to their second consecutive tie and are 2-1-2 over their past five games.

Chicago played a man short for the final 11 minutes -- including five in stoppage time -- after defender Johan Kappelhof was given a red card for a serious foul. Kappelhof was carded for a high kick in the 84th minute that made contact with the face of Rapids midfielder Johan Blomberg.

Fire goalkeeper Richard Sanchez preserved the point with a stellar diving save in the 93rd minute, as he deflected a left-footed blast by forward Joe Mason wide of the net, while recording four saves in the match.

Chicago midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and forward Diego Campos had prime opportunities for go-ahead goals in the second half, but Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard came up with big saves on both occasions, while finishing with three saves.

Badji put the Rapids ahead in the seventh minute when he sent a low left-footed shot past Sanchez and into the right corner of the net.

Colorado struck again eight minutes later when midfielder Jack Price sent a cross from the left flank toward the goal and Smith was perfectly placed to head the ball past Sanchez to make it 2-0.