L.A. Galaxy’s visit to Toyota Park Sept. 4 brought out the best and worst in the Chicago Fire.

A sold-out crowd of more than 21,000 watched as the Men in Red’s head-to-head battle with the MLS’ leading team ended in a 1-1 draw.

In the 21st minute of the game, Fire’s defender Gonzalo Segares was expelled from the match after elbowing a Galaxy player in the box. Sean Johnson, the Fire’s rookie goalkeeper, stepped up big for the team after stopping Landon Donovan’s penalty shot with ease.

“I’ve seen two penalty kicks earlier this season from him, so I tried to get a good read. I think I did and made the save to keep us in for a while,” Johnson said about the save.

Despite the quick pace of the Galaxy’s game, the Fire did not fall back and kept pace with its opponent. Nery Castillo appeared to be in somewhat better shape and played much longer than any of his previous appearances.

“Castillo had good participation on the field, but because of the red card, we had to move him to a position where he’s not as comfortable,” Carlos de los Cobos, the Fire’s head coach, said after the game.

Much of the game continued back-and-forth with the Galaxy having the upper hand.

In the 88th minute of the match, Collins John put the Fire up 1-0 after he curled a 19-yard free kick from the left side of the field into the back of the Galaxy’s net. The goal earned John his first AT&T MLS Goal of the Week nomination.

“To come on and get a goal just before the end is a nice feeling. I spoke to one of the guys yesterday ...