Sounders, Fire tie 0-0

SEATTLE – Jon Busch made five saves, two on consecutive point-blank tries by Nate Jaqua during the first half, to help the Chicago Fire earn a 0-0 draw against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

The Fire (7-3-8) extended their unbeaten streak to four matches (2-0-2) following a three-game losing streak from May 31-June 13. Seattle (7-3-8) is unbeaten in six games (3-0-3).

Busch got some late help when a shot by Fredy Montero bounced off the right side of the crossbar, and another Sounders shot in traffic in the penalty area was cleared off the line by Chris Rolfe.

Kasey Keller made two saves for Seattle to earn his sixth shutout of the season.

Both teams finished with 10 players.

Chicago’s John Thorrington was sent off with his second yellow card in the 55th minute. Just 3 minutes later, Seattle’s Freddie Ljungberg was shown a yellow for diving. His subsequent protest to referee Baldomero Toledo drew a second yellow, leading to his ejection.

The Sounders had three near-misses during the first half – all by Jaqua. In the second minute, Jaqua took a shot from the top of the 6-yard box that hit the right post, giving Busch just enough time to scramble and clear it over the goal line.

Midway through the 37th minute, Montero lofted a target ball into the box. Jaqua’s header was saved by Busch, but he wasn’t able to secure the ball. It rebounded back to Jaqua, whose point-blank shot from inside the 6-yard box was stopped by Busch.

Michael Pappa had the best chance for the Fire during the first half, watching his shot across the box from the left side skitter past the wide-open goalmouth and just wide of the far post.

Jaqua had another golden opportunity early in the 71st minute when he got around Busch, but his shot was deflected away from the post at the last instant.