Schweinsteiger off mark as Chicago held by Montreal

Chicago (AFP) – Bastian Schweinsteiger scored on his Major League Soccer debut on Saturday as Chicago Fire snatched a 2-2 draw with Montreal Impact.

Former Germany star Schweinsteiger headed home David Accam’s perfectly flighted cross from close range after 17 minutes to put Chicago ahead.

But the veteran midfielder was denied a fairytale start to his MLS career when Matteo Mancosu equalised for Montreal in the 61st minute.

A stormy encounter then saw Chicago midfielder Juninho sent off in the 71st minute after picking up a second yellow card for unsporting behavior.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men however in the 80th minute when Montreal’s Victor Cabrera was given a straight red for bringing down Argentine forward Luis Solignac as he went through on goal.

Montreal looked to have grabbed a late winner when Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla lashed in a shot from outside the area to make it 2-1 in the 90th minute.

But Chicago grabbed a share of the points in the third minute of stoppage time when Solignac controlled with his chest on the edge of the area before sweeping home a low finish to make it 2-2.

The draw leaves Chicago in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, with five points from four games.