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United-Fire Preview

Aug 28, 2009 - 8:40 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

D.C. (6-5-11) at Chicago (10-5-8), 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Fire appeared to be on their way to a disappointing loss in their latest game, but three late goals resulted in a stunning win.

Securing three points Saturday would bring something even more significant.

The Fire will move atop the league standings with a victory at Toyota Park against D.C. United, which will try to win for the first time in five matches and take a big step toward returning to playoff position.

Chicago (10-5-8) fell 2-0 at home to Los Angeles on Aug. 19, and through the first 70 minutes Sunday against Colorado found itself trailing by the same score.

The Fire were playing their third match in eight days, but appeared to be revitalized during the final 20 minutes. Cuauhtemoc Blanco's penalty kick put Chicago on the board in the 72nd minute, and Mike Banner scored before Dasan Robinson found the back of the net in stoppage time to lift the Fire to a 3-2 triumph.

"It's definitely a good win, a good way to end these three games," said Banner, who entered the game in the 70th minute before tying it in the 85th. "It sets us up for the next week."

Banner played a key role coming off the bench against Kansas City on Aug. 16. He came on in the 66th minute and sewed up the 2-0 victory with a goal in the 89th.

The comeback win against the Rapids gave the Fire 38 points, one behind defending MLS champion Columbus atop the Eastern Conference. If they can beat D.C. United (6-5-11) for the first time in three matches this season, they'll surpass West-leading Houston for the most points overall.

They'll have to do so without Robinson, though, after the defender's jersey-removing goal celebration against Colorado warranted a second yellow card of the match.

"(I'm) fortunate it didn't cost the team, you live and learn," Robinson said. "Next time I'll be a little more thoughtful."

United is 0-2-2 in its last four matches after a scoreless draw against visiting Los Angeles on Saturday. It has 29 points, currently leaving it one point shy of playoff position.

"It's just disappointing," said United assistant Chad Ashton, filling in for head coach Tom Soehn, who missed the game with flu-like symptoms. "You know you need three points in this situation and to walk away with one is deflating. We've had too many of those this year, where ties have felt like losses."

United improved to 5-0-5 at home after the draw, but is 1-5-6 on the road.

D.C. could use some more production from Luciano Emilio, who leads the team with eight goals, if it hopes to avoid being shut out for the third straight game. Emilio scored in United's 1-1 draw with the Fire on March 28, but was held off the scoresheet as D.C. beat Chicago 2-1 on June 13.