Ghana striker David Accam scored on his first start since June 6 for ten-man Chicago Fire in their 3-1 defeat at Columbus Crew in the MLS on Sunday.
Accam was among five changes made by Fire head coach Frank Yallop at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
The hosts opened scoring in the second minute of play. Off the kickoff, Kei Kamara headed it forward to Ethan Finlay.
Sean Johnson came out to challenge but was adjudged to have fouled Finlay, and referee Chris Penso pointed to the penalty spot.
Federico Higuain stepped up and sent the penalty kick to Johnson’s right to give Columbus the lead.
The Fire would answer back just seven minutes later when Jason Johnson was fouled just outside the Columbus 18-yard box.
Accam stepped up to the ensuing free kick and blasted his right-footed shot through the Columbus wall.
The ball took a slight deflection off a Crew SC defender and into goal for the equalizer and his fifth goal of the season.
Columbus regained the lead in the 17th minute. The ball fell to Waylon Francis on the right side of Sean Johnson’s penalty area, who took a touch and lofted a cross to Kamara on the far post to head in for the 2-1 lead.
The Fire were reduced to ten men in the 50th minute. Jason Johnson, who picked up a yellow card in the 35th minute for a foul, was shown his second yellow of the match for what was judged to be simulation.