NAPERVILLE, Illinois:
JAMAICAN FORWARD Damani Ralph struck a rookie record equalling eighth goal in US Major League Soccer (MLS) while helping the Chicago Fire draw 1-1 with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars on Saturday.
Ralph gave Chicago the lead midway the first half and Steve Jolley earned a share of the points for the MetroStars with a late equaliser.
In other matches, struggling defending champions Los Angeles Galaxy, Colorado, and DC United registered wins.
Ralph continued his outstanding rookie campaign with his 22nd minute goal, striking a fine angled shot past goalkeeper Johnny Walker to tie the MLS record for most goals in a rookie season.
Ralph equals the feat of, forwards Josh Wolff (Chicago, 1998), Jeff Cunningham (Columbus, 1998), and Rodrigo Faria (MetroStars, 2001) in their first seasons of professional soccer.
Jolly got the MetroStars' equaliser in the 86th minute and the result keeps Chicago and the MetroStars locked at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with 29 points.
In other matches, DC United won 1-0 over the New England Revolution, who had Grenada's Shalrie Joseph and Jamaica's Wolde Harris in their line-up, the Dallas Burn, with Jamaican Shavar Thomas, lost 2-0 to Colorado, and Los Angeles got two goals from Carlos Ruiz to defeat the Columbus Crew 3-1.
Jamaica international Tyrone Marshall came on as an 81st minute substitute for the LA Galaxy, who are fourth - second from bottom - in the Western Conference with 22 points.
