BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- An own goal knocked in by D.C. midfielder Nick DeLeon and a late score by Chicago newcomer Mike Magee gave the Fire a 2-0 victory over the United on Sunday.
Magee's goal came on his fourth and final shot of the match, a 14-yarder that beat United goalkeeper Joe Willis cleanly in the 85th minute.
Until then, a carom that first hit the chest of Fire midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, then hit DeLeon in the chest before bouncing off the turf and trickling across the goal line in the ninth minute was the game's only score. Willis had moved in the original path of the ball and couldn't reverse course in time.
Not counting the own goal, the Fire (3-7-2) have scored only eight goals in 12 matches this season, and DC (1-10-2) has only six in 13.
Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson needed to make only one save for his third shutout of the season.
Chicago got its first MLS victory since beating Columbus 1-0 on April 20. The Fire were 0-3-1 in league play since.
The loss extended United's winless streak to 0-9-2, and kept them last in the Eastern Conference.
Magee, making his MLS debut for Chicago, was acquired from Los Angeles in exchange for the rights to Robbie Rogers last weekend. He was saved on a breakaway by Willis in the 83rd minute, two minutes before he scored his seventh goal of the season.
United goalkeeper Bill Hamid missed the game due to his presence on the U.S. national team, backing up Tim Howard in a 4-3 exhibition victory over Germany in Washington.
Chris Rolfe and Mike Magee, who made his Fire debut, scored for Chicago in a 2-0 victory over the Charlotte Eagles in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday in Rock Hill, S.C.
Acquired from the Galaxy on Saturday, Magee headed in a goal in the 11th minute to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.
"It was great not only for Mike to have a good game and score but also for Chris Rolfe," Fire coach Frank Klopas said. "I think games like this are never easy. You see around the world just the upsets that take place and there are great opportunities for teams like Charlotte to compete against MLS teams and also for players to showcase their abilities. More than anything we had to take the game very serious, which we did but it was a great night. The facilities here were great, they're a great team and we kept a clean sheet and so it was nice for us."
The Fire will host the Columbus Crew in the fourth round of the Cup on June 12 at Toyota Park.
Acquired from the Galaxy on Saturday, Magee headed in a goal in the 11th minute to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.
"It was great not only for Mike to have a good game and score but also for Chris Rolfe," Fire coach Frank Klopas said. "I think games like this are never easy. You see around the world just the upsets that take place and there are great opportunities for teams like Charlotte to compete against MLS teams and also for players to showcase their abilities. More than anything we had to take the game very serious, which we did but it was a great night. The facilities here were great, they're a great team and we kept a clean sheet and so it was nice for us."
The Fire will host the Columbus Crew in the fourth round of the Cup on June 12 at Toyota Park.
SANDY, Utah -- Quincy Amarikwa scored in the 84th minute to counter a goal from Alvaro Saborio in the 78th and the Chicago Fire played Real Salt Lake to a 1-1 draw Saturday night.
The Fire (2-7-2) snapped a three-match losing streak and improved to 3-2-3 all-time in Utah. Chicago is the only MLS club with a winning road record against Salt Lake (6-5-3).
The Fire (2-7-2) snapped a three-match losing streak and improved to 3-2-3 all-time in Utah. Chicago is the only MLS club with a winning road record against Salt Lake (6-5-3).
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Fire acquired defender Bakary Soumare from the Philadelphia Union on Thursday for a second round-pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money.
Read the entire story.
Read the entire story.
Pressure is mounting again for the Fire after extending its losing streak to three against the Union. Much has been made of defender Arne Friedrich's absence, but after getting shut out for the sixth time in 10 games, offense has been a bigger problem.
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 12
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 12
The move of Patrick Nyarko to forward proved a master stroke against Philadelphia, as he tormented the Union's backline. But finishing was still a problem for Chicago, and Frank Klopas' side was duly punished in a 1-0 loss.
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 11
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 11
Power Rankings: Fire move despite weekend off
May, 6, 2013
May 6
5:32
PM CT
By Staff | ESPNChicago.com
With the weekend off, focus turned to retired midfielder Robbie Rogers, whose rights are held by the Fire. Manager Frank Klopas is keen to sign the former U.S. international, but Rogers has made it clear he wants to play elsewhere.
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 10
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 10
Power Rankings: Loss keeps Fire at No. 15
April, 29, 2013
Apr 29
1:30
PM CT
By Staff | ESPNChicago.com
Jeff Larentowicz's red card for taking down Montreal's Andrea Pisanu looked softer than a down pillow and gave the Fire no hope of coming back in a 2-0 loss to Montreal. For the first 25 minutes, Chicago's attack was back to its ineffectual self.
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 8
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 8
MONTREAL -- Andres Romero and Marco Di Vaio scored in the second half, lifting the Montreal Impact to a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
Montreal (5-1-1) improved to 3-0-1 at home and won for the first time since beating visiting New York on March 23. The Impact lost 2-0 at Sporting Kansas City a week later and had a 1-1 home draw with Columbus on April 4 in MLS play, and lost 2-0 at Toronto on Wednesday night in the first leg of the Canadian Championship semifinals.
The Fire (2-5-1) dropped to 0-3-1 on the road.
Romero got his first MLS goal 57 minutes in as he took a ball on the left side, sidestepped Fire captain Logan Pause and sent the ball into the far top corner behind Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
With the Fire down a man in the 76th, Di Vaio controlled a chip pass from Daniele Paponi and, with his back to the goal, spun and fired a low shot inside the left post for his fourth of the season.
Fire midfielder Jeff Larentowicz was issued a red card for a reckless tackle on Paponi in the 64th and a skirmish erupted when Johnson then charged at Di Vaio to thwart a shot attempt. Both were cautioned.
The Impact showed their rust early as Chicago controlled the play and got chances from Gonzalo Segares, Patrick Nyarko and a long blast by Daniel Paladini that forced Troy Perkins to dive to his right.
Montreal picked up the pace midway through the first half as Paponi headed a Pisanu pass just over the bar in the 27th minute. Jeb Brovsky just missed the left post with a volley and Paponi hit another drive just wide.
Already hit with injuries in the central defense, the Impact saw veteran Alessandro Nesta leave in the 54th minute. French native Wandrille Lefevre, a product of the club's academy, saw his first MLS action. He was given an assist on Romero's goal and received a yellow card for a tackle from behind.
The Fire were without defenseman Wells Thompson, who served a one-game suspension for a reckless tackle against Columbus.
NEW YORK -- Chicago Fire defender Wells Thompson was suspended for a game and fined an undisclosed amount Thursday for his reckless challenge on Columbus' Agustin Viana in a game April 20.
Read the entire story.
Read the entire story.
After peppering the Columbus goal for practically the entire match, Jeff Larentowicz's late tally gave the Fire the win it deserved against the Crew. Patrick Nyarko was lively for the hosts and on another night might have had multiple assists.
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 8
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 8
ESPN FC Boot Room Extra: Talking Chicago
April, 22, 2013
Apr 22
10:54
AM CT
By Staff | ESPNChicago.com
ESPN commentators Adrian Healey, Alexi Lalas, and Taylor Twellman continue their discussion on New York and break down Chicago's 1-0 win over Columbus.
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Jeff Larentowicz scored in the 83rd minute to lift the Chicago Fire to a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night.
Larentowicz headed Austin Berry's pass by Columbus goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum from five yards out to cap a furious rally that saw Chicago take 16 shots at the Crew goal in the second half.
Chicago (2-4-1) won for the second time in three matches to climb out of a tie at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Sean Johnson made two saves for his second shutout of the season.
The Crew (2-2-3) snapped their four-game unbeaten streak (1-0-3).
Chicago had pressed the attack from early in the second half, first when Sherjill MacDonald was stopped by Gruenebaum from 17 yards out.
Three minutes later, midfielder Gonzalo Segares' left-footed blast was kicked out by Gruenebaum. He made two more saves on MacDonald in the next 8 minutes, the latter on the tough angle shot.
But Larentowicz broke through a pair of Columbus defenders and was open to receive the headed pass from Berry and head it into the net to Gruenebaum's left for his first goal of the season.
The Crew had one last opportunity in stoppage time, but Agustin Viana's header from 15 yards out flew wide of the Chicago net.
Columbus had the best chance of a quiet first half, but Dominic Oduro fired his 18-yard shot wide in the 15th minute. Earlier, an apparent score by Columbus' Chad Marshall was wiped out by an offside call.
The Fire looked vastly improved against Houston, with its midfield looking much sharper than in the season's opening weeks. But it wasn't enough to prevent a 2-1 loss. At least there's hope now in the Windy City.
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 7
Read ESPN's MLS Power Rankings: Week 7
HOUSTON -- Brad Davis had a goal and an assist, and the Houston Dynamo set an MLS record for longest home unbeaten streak in all competitions with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Sunday.
Houston (4-2-0) has not lost a home game across all competitions in 35 matches. The previous record was set by Real Salt Lake from 2009-11. Houston also tied the MLS record for longest regular-season home unbeaten streak at 29 games set by Real Salt Lake in the same stretch. Houston last lost at home on June 18, 2011, a 2-0 defeat to Columbus.
"The streak means a lot because it means that we are playing well at home," Davis said. "You always want to defend your home turf, and every other team will say the same thing. But we take a lot of pride in this and playing here. ... It's a lot of fun to be on this team, and you know what you are getting every week -- a lot of work and a lot of dedication."
Davis scored the winner in the 81st minute, sending a line drive from 25 yards out on the right inside the near post.
Chicago (1-4-1) had a chance to tie late, but Jeff Larentowicz narrowly missed converting off a free kick in the 84th minute, heading it off the crossbar from outside the 6-yard box.
Chicago coach Frank Klopas felt his team deserved better than the loss, saying the Fire at least should have earned a point.
"We had chances, but we need to limit the goals," he said. "We have given up easy goals out of situations, and that hurts you. Being on the road and giving up two goals in any game, you make it difficult for yourself."
Will Bruin gave the Dynamo a 1-0 lead with a header in the 26th minute. Davis juked Chicago's Wells Thompson outside the left box and sent a cross inside the goalkeeper's box that Bruin headed inside the near post.
Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said there's no secret to his team's success.
"We have a good team. I think if you look at our record, we've always had a good team, we always play well at home. If you don't have a good team, you don't have that record," Kinnear said. "We have won and tied games in all different fashions. And the one thing that I never question is the team's attitude or their desire to try. This team, this group just really hates to lose and that is a good trait to have."
Chris Rolfe tied it 1-all 3 minutes later. The ball was played to Dan Paladini off a throw-in on the left side and he slipped a pass by two Dynamo defenders as Rolfe charged into the box and sent a one-timer inside the near post from 14 yards out.
Houston missed an opportunity in the 13th minute when Davis' free kick from above the half circle was stopped by a diving Sean Johnson.
Houston (4-2-0) has not lost a home game across all competitions in 35 matches. The previous record was set by Real Salt Lake from 2009-11. Houston also tied the MLS record for longest regular-season home unbeaten streak at 29 games set by Real Salt Lake in the same stretch. Houston last lost at home on June 18, 2011, a 2-0 defeat to Columbus.
"The streak means a lot because it means that we are playing well at home," Davis said. "You always want to defend your home turf, and every other team will say the same thing. But we take a lot of pride in this and playing here. ... It's a lot of fun to be on this team, and you know what you are getting every week -- a lot of work and a lot of dedication."
Davis scored the winner in the 81st minute, sending a line drive from 25 yards out on the right inside the near post.
Chicago (1-4-1) had a chance to tie late, but Jeff Larentowicz narrowly missed converting off a free kick in the 84th minute, heading it off the crossbar from outside the 6-yard box.
Chicago coach Frank Klopas felt his team deserved better than the loss, saying the Fire at least should have earned a point.
"We had chances, but we need to limit the goals," he said. "We have given up easy goals out of situations, and that hurts you. Being on the road and giving up two goals in any game, you make it difficult for yourself."
Will Bruin gave the Dynamo a 1-0 lead with a header in the 26th minute. Davis juked Chicago's Wells Thompson outside the left box and sent a cross inside the goalkeeper's box that Bruin headed inside the near post.
Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said there's no secret to his team's success.
"We have a good team. I think if you look at our record, we've always had a good team, we always play well at home. If you don't have a good team, you don't have that record," Kinnear said. "We have won and tied games in all different fashions. And the one thing that I never question is the team's attitude or their desire to try. This team, this group just really hates to lose and that is a good trait to have."
Chris Rolfe tied it 1-all 3 minutes later. The ball was played to Dan Paladini off a throw-in on the left side and he slipped a pass by two Dynamo defenders as Rolfe charged into the box and sent a one-timer inside the near post from 14 yards out.
Houston missed an opportunity in the 13th minute when Davis' free kick from above the half circle was stopped by a diving Sean Johnson.

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Breaking Bad... One last time
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