Fire 2 - 1 D.C. United
Final
  for this game

Chicago leaves it late in dramatic win over D.C.

Oct 16, 2011 - 2:18 AM Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - The Chicago Fire earned a miraculous 2-1 win over D.C. United at RFK Stadium on Saturday to keep the wild card chase wide open.

Chicago is still alive in the playoff hunt, moving ahead of D.C. United, 38 points, and into sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 40 points. Red Bull New York is three points in front, occupying fifth place with 43 points.

Dwayne De Rosario thought he had won it for United with a penalty kick in the 90th minute, but Chicago stole the win with stoppage time goals coming from Sebastian Grazzini and Diego Chaves.

After an uneventful 89 minutes, the match came to life and ended in dramatic fashion.

D.C. was awarded a late penalty when Gonzalo Segares clipped the heels of Santino Quaranta in the box. De Rosario emphatically converted the spot kick for his league-leading 15th goal of the season.

Chicago equalized immediately through a fantastic effort from Grazzini. A failed D.C. United clearance fell to Grazzini at the top of the box, and he made the hosts pay with a brilliant curling shot that found the top corner.

Chaves capped the sensational comeback moments later. Chicago attacked and beat the offside trap, as Segares made amends for conceding the late penalty by getting to the endline, drawing goalkeeper Bill Hamid away from goal, and playing a low cross into the six-yard box. Chaves was on the spot to stuff the pass into the net.

With four straight losses, D.C. United has crumbled of late, but can take some solace in the fact that it still has two games remaining in the season, while New York and Chicago only have one.

D.C. now faces a crucial matchup when it hosts the Portland Timbers on Wednesday. Chicago's last regular season match will come on Oct. 22 when it hosts the Columbus Crew at Toyota Park.






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