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BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Patrick Nyarko scored in the opening minute and Daniel Paladini had a goal in the 19th to lead the Chicago Fire to a 3-1 victory against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday night.

Alex scored in second-half stoppage time to seal the win as the Fire (13-8-5) moved two points ahead of the Dynamo for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Brian Ching scored in the 90th minute for Houston (11-7-9), using his left knee to deflect Brad Davis' corner kick into the net. The late goal spoiled Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson's bid for a fifth shutout of the season. Johnson finished with five saves, including a difficult stop on Je-Vaughn Watson a minute earlier.

Nyarko picked off a pass intended for Dynamo defender Jermaine Taylor, ran 40 yards, and beat goalkeeper Tally Hall 50 seconds into the match. It was the second-fastest score of the year for Chicago. Dominic Oruro scored 25 seconds in against Toronto on April 21.

Houston forward Macoumba Kandji nearly scored on a Chicago defensive miscue in the 13th minute, but caromed the ball into the net with his right shoulder and was called for a hand-ball violation.

Paladini made it 2-0 when his right ankle deflected Sherjill MacDonald's pass behind Hall from seven yards out six minutes later.

Alex got his first goal for the Fire on a 20-yard lob shot off the right post into the net about 3 minutes into stoppage time.

The Chicago Fire has agreed to terms to transfer Marco Pappa to Dutch club SC Heerenveen, and the midfielder will join the team immediately rather than at the end of the MLS season as previously planned.

“This was a very difficult decision to make, however, we feel it is the best move for the club and the player at this time," Fire president of soccer operations Javier Leon said in a statement. "This transfer provides the club with flexibility under the salary cap and made sense as we look toward the future. Marco came into his own as a member of the Fire, he has been a big part of the club, and we wish him the best in this next phase of his career."

Pappa, 24, came to the Fire on loan from CSD Municipal on July 30, 2008. He started 101 of his 112 MLS regular season games and recorded 26 goals and 16 assists.

The Chicago Fire's newly constructed forward tandem of Chris Rolfe and Sherjill MacDonald appears to be finding some chemistry, as both were on the score sheet in a 2-1 win over New England. Chicago seems a cinch for the postseason.

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BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Sherjill MacDonald's first MLS goal broke a tie just past midway through the first half and the Chicago Fire held on to beat the New England Revolution 2-1 Saturday night.

Chris Rolfe also scored to help the Fire (12-7-5) win their third straight and move into a tie with New York for second place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Kansas City.

Fernando Cardenas scored for New England (6-13-5), which dropped to 0-6-1 in its last seven matches. The Revolution also lost by one goal for the 12th time this season.

MacDonald scored in his fourth league game on a header from six yards out in the 25th minute. It was set up by Patrick Nyarko's floating cross from deep in the left corner, and McDonald's shot whistled past Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.

The 27-year-old MacDonald joined the Fire as a designated player on July 24, signed from a team in Belgium to boost Chicago's attack.

The Fire opened the scoring on Rolfe's penalty kick in the fifth minute. Rolfe, in his second stint with Chicago, was tripped in the penalty area by defender A.J. Soares, and referee Sorin Stoica awarded the penalty kick.

New England tied it on Cardenas' shot from the goalmouth in the 11th minute. Cardenas' kick caromed off goalkeeper Sean Johnson and a Chicago defender before rolling over the goal line.

Johnson preserved the victory by diving to stop a 28-yard shot by Soares just before time expired.

Chicago Fire midfielder Marco Pappa signed a pre-contract with SC Heerenveen in Holland and will join the club when the transfer window opens on Jan. 1, the team announced on Monday.

The Fire will retain Pappa’s MLS rights. He joined the Fire on loan from CSD Municipal on July 30, 2008. He has started 100 of his 110 MLS games and recorded 26 goals and 14 assists in his Fire career.

“I’m very excited about taking the next step in my career and signing with SC Heerenveen,” the 24-year-old Pappa said in a statement. “My focus is with the Fire and working hard to secure a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Fire gave me a great opportunity in 2008, and I am thankful to Fire owner Andrew Hauptman and Frank Klopas for the support and encouragement they have offered the past four years. I plan to do the club proud and put everything I have into the remaining matches with the Fire.”

Fire president of soccer operations Javier Leon expressed support for Pappa’s desire to play in Europe.

“Marco is a great player and has been a big part of the club for the last four years," Leon said in a statement. “Marco is a true professional and has really developed as a player while with the Fire. We understand Marco’s desire to play in Europe and fully support his move to Holland. It was key for us to keep Marco through the end of the season as we push for a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. We are grateful for his contributions to the club and believe Marco will represent the Fire well in Europe.”

Pappa was recently called up to play for Guatemala’s national team against Paraguay in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. He has had 28 international caps for Guatemala.

The Fire are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 38 points.

After a 3-1 win over Philadelphia, the Chicago Fire jumped a spot in this week's ESPN.com Power Rankings.

Check out the complete Power Rankings here.

CHESTER, Pa. -- Chris Rolfe scored two goals and Arne Friedrich added one to lead the Chicago Fire past the Philadelphia Union 3-1 on Sunday night.

The Fire (11-7-5) moved past D.C. United and into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 38 points. Chicago has won two straight and is 2-0-1 in its last three matches.

Philadelphia took a short-lived lead with an own goal in the 34th minute, but Rolfe tied it the 43rd minute, and Friedrich gave the Fire a 2-1 advantage with a goal in stoppage time. Rolfe's second goal in the 56th minute gave Chicago a two-goal cushion.

The Union (7-12-2) had won a franchise record four consecutive matches at PPL Park. They played without forward Jack McInerney, who received a red card in their last match, Aug. 4 at Montreal.

Philadelphia also was missing captain and defender Carlos Valdes and midfielder Gabriel Gomez. Both players were called up for international duty, Valdes with Colombia, and Gomez with Panama.

Three Chicago Fire players have been called up by their international squads for international friendlies on Wednesday, the team announced Sunday.

Goalie Sean Johnson (United States) and midfielder Marco Pappa (Guatemala) are still available for Sunday night’s contest against the Philadelphia Union, but Orr Barouch (Israel U-21) will miss Sunday’s match.

Johnson and the U.S. National Team will take on Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. He will report to Mexico City on Monday.

Pappa, who leads the Fire with six goals this season, and Guatemala will battle Paraguay at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Barouch will represent the Israel U-21 squad against the Russian U-21 side at Arena Khimki in Khimki, Russia.

Johnson and Pappa are expected to return before the Fire’s match against the New England Revolution at Toyota Park on Saturday.

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Austin Berry and Marco Pappa scored to help Chicago snap a two-game winless streak.

Berry headed Pavel Pardo's free kick over Toronto goalkeeper Milos Kocic from 10 yards out in the 84th minute after Pappa tied the match from close range in the 64th minute, firing a right-footed shot between the post and defender Richard Eckersley.

Pappa's misplay in the 16th minute led to Ryan Johnson's goal for Toronto.

Chicago (10-7-5) is fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto (5-13-4) played the last 11 minutes of regulation plus four minutes of stoppage time a man down after defender Logan Emory was ejected for a pair of yellow cards, both for rough tackles.

The Chicago Fire announced Friday midfielder Alvaro Fernandez had been acquired from the Seattle Sounders for allocation money.

Fernandez will occupy a Designated Player slot and was the second international player the Fire added to their roster this week. Dutch forward Sherjill MacDonald signed with the team on Tuesday.

Fernandez, who is known as “El Flaco,” joined the Sounders in 2010 and has 13 goals in 55 MLS games. He has been capped for Uruguay 11 times in his career.

“Alvaro is an experienced player that has proven himself as an offensive weapon in MLS,” Fire coach Frank Klopas said in a statement. “He is a versatile player and can occupy a number of positions in the midfield. This addition strengthens our squad as we enter the second half of the season.”

Fernandez is expected to join the Fire in Saturday’s road game against the San Jose Earthquakes. The Fire are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 31 points.

The Chicago Fire announced Thursday midfielder Rafael Robayo has been loaned to his former team Club Deportivo Millonarios in Columbia.

The 28-year-old Robayo joined the Fire in January after seven year with Club Deportivo Millonarios. He played in 15 games and made three starts for the Fire.

“This opportunity allows Rafael to return to his former club,” Fire coach Frank Klopas said in a statement. “Rafael is a good professional and we wish him the best in his next step.”

The Fire now have an international slot open.

Chicago Fire forward Federico Puppo has been loaned to Defensor Sporting Club in Uruguay, the Fire announced on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Puppo had one goal and one assist in 12 games, including two starts, for the Fire. He joined the team on the Jan. 11 after playing for Danubio FC in Uruguay.

“This loan is an opportunity to provide Federico with more consistent playing time,” Fire coach Frank Klopas said in a statement. “Defensor is a top team in Uruguay, having won the 2012 Clausura. We look forward to keeping a close eye on his progress while he is playing in Montevideo.”

Puppo’s departure opens an international player slot for Dutch forward Sherjill MacDonald, which the Fire signed on Tuesday.

The Chicago Fire announced the signing of Dutch forward Sherjill MacDonald on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old MacDonald has played with Beerschot AC in the Belgian Pro League since 2009 and scored 15 goals in 82 matches through the 2012 season. He also played in England, Germany and the Netherlands.

"Sherjill is a goal scorer who can hold the ball up, attack with pace and is very technically sound," Fire coach Frank Klopas in a statement. "He has competed at a high level in Europe and will bolster our attack as we make a push toward the MLS Cup Playoffs."

MacDonald began practicing with the Fire on Tuesday. He will fill a Designated Player slot, and the Fire will have to free one of their current international player slots for MacDonald to play.

The Fire are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 31 points. They've scored 22 goals and allowed 22 goals in 20 games this season.

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Gabriel Agbonlahor scored in the 29th minute and then left with an injury in the second half as Aston Villa beat the Chicago Fire 1-0 in an exhibition match Saturday night.

Agbonlahor went down clutching his left leg after spinning by a defender in the 63rd minute, screaming in pain. The trainer for the English Premier League team gingerly flexed Agbonlahor's leg, which caused more pain, and the forward was carted off.

Villa came out attacking, and the push paid off with Agbonlahor's goal. He headed the cross of defender Chris Herd past Chicago goalkeeper Jay Nolly from 10 yards out.

The Fire had been back on their heels before that. Midfielder Stephan Ireland narrowly missed scoring with a sliding kick in the box in the 12th minute, and midfielder Charles N'Zogbia shoved an even closer shot over the goal three minutes later.

Aside from defender Arne Frederich, Chicago played a lineup of backups from Nolly forward. The Fire brought in starters Dominic Oduro and Patrick Nyarko with 30 minutes to play, and added other regulars in the final minutes, but generated little offense.

Aston Villa started defender Eric Lichaj, one of its two Chicago-area-bred players, with recently re-signed goalkeeper Brad Guzan, entering with 11 minutes remaining. Lichaj played 57 minutes, his best play a sharp pass to N'Zogbia that nearly paid off with a goal.

The Lions launched their three-match exhibition tour of the U.S. by beating Philadelphia 1-0 on Wednesday. It concludes with a match at Portland on Tuesday.

Aston Villa of the English Premier League announced Monday its provisional travel roster for their match against Chicago Fire on Saturday, including two Chicago area natives.

Eric Lichaj of Downers Grove and Brad Guzan of Homer Glen are on the Aston Villa team participating in a three-game American tour which includes additional international friendlies against the Philadelphia Union on July 18 and the Portland Timbers on July 24.

Guzan, who recently signed a new three-year contract with Aston Villa, filled in for Shay Given for part of last season while the Irish goalkeeper was injured.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Toyota Park.