Rusnak penalty earns Real Salt Lake draw with Fire

Albert Rusnak converted a penalty kick in the 33rd minute as visiting Real Salt Lake recorded a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire on Saturday in Bridgeview, Ill.

Nick Rimando made his lone save on Przemyslaw Frankowski's header in the 89th minute for Real Salt Lake (6-8-2, 20 points), which is 0-2-1 in its last three MLS matches.

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Midfielder Aleksandar Katai scored on a free kick in the fifth minute and Kenneth Kronholm made one save for the Fire (4-6-7, 19 points), who are 4-0-3 in their last seven home matches.

Chicago's Brandt Bronico set up Katai for the potential go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute, but the latter's right-footed shot from a sharp angle sailed wide of the net.

The Fire wasted little time getting back in the groove while competing in an MLS match for the first time since dropping a 2-0 decision to Atlanta United on June 1.

Katai sent a right-footed shot past the defensive wall and just inside the right post to open the scoring. The goal was Katai's fourth of the season and first since Chicago's 4-1 loss against the San Jose Earthquakes on May 18.

Midfielder Damir Kreilach, whose brace fueled Real Salt Lake to a 2-1 victory over the Fire on Aug. 5, 2018, nearly forged a tie in the 28th minute after his header hit the left post.

Real Salt Lake accomplished that goal with an unexpected assist from Chicago midfielder Mohammed Adams, who was whistled for a hand ball in the penalty area. Rusnak wired a right-footed shot past a diving Kronholm to the bottom right corner for his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Both teams were coming off U.S. Open Cup fourth-round losses. The Fire dropped a 2-1 decision to USL Championship club Saint Louis FC while Real Salt Lake lost 3-0 to LAFC on Tuesday.