Chaves, Fire secure draw at Dallas

Fire's Orr Barouch (R) -- Getty Images

The Chicago Fire handled 2010 MLS runner-up FC Dallas with composure in their season opener, earning a 1-1 draw on Saturday in the first leg of the Brimstone Cup at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

Uruguayan forward Diego Chaves netted his first MLS goal for the Fire as both teams scored within the first 20 minutes. The Fire, who regularly were handed red cards during the preseason, actually benefited on Saturday with Dallas defender Brek Shea getting ejected in the 55th minute.

Though the Fire could not get the go-ahead goal while up a man for most of the second half, getting a road draw against a tough Western Conference squad was a satisfying beginning to the 2011 campaign.

"Sometimes you tie and don't feel very good [about the result], and sometimes you tie and feel like you win," Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos said. "At the end of the game, I am not very happy about the result, but I am happy about the effort of the players."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.