Chicago Fire and the Columbus Crew played out a 1-1 draw in their MLS clash on Sunday morning.

Both sides struggled to create chances in the opening 20 minutes as they struggled for rhythm going forward, and the final ball in the last third of the pitch lacked quality.

The Fire did threaten when Jeff Larentowicz powered a header at goal from a corner, but his effort was easily saved by Steve Clark.

Chicago took the lead when Tyson Wahl handled Grant Ward's attempted cross into the box and a penalty was awarded. Mike Magee took the spot kick and buried his effort into the bottom corner.

After the break, the Crew rallied immediately and found an equaliser through Federico Higuain as he capitalised on an error in the box and slotted the ball past Sean Johnson.

Johnson then kept the scores level as he produced a reflex stop with his feet to deny Ben Speas, whose powerful drive from the edge of the area nearly found the bottom corner.

Columbus should have taken the lead in the 61st minute when a cross from the right found Ethan Finlay in the six-yard box, but he could only fire his effort straight at Johnson with the goal gaping.

Magee almost made him pay as he collected a pass from Quincy Amarikwa down the left and raided into the box, but his low shot went inches past the post as both sides had to settle for a point.