If it wasn’t for a remarkable “how did he see it through all that traffic” save late from Sean Johnson, this one would have ended 2-2, which would have been an amazing considering how much better Chicago were. The Fire went up two early, missed some chances to really put this away, and let Toronto ease back into the match during the second half. Thanks to Johnson, there was no harm done, though Frank Kloppas nearly had cause for a post-game eruption.
With the loss, Toronto becomes the first team to be eliminated for the MLS playoff race. They stay on 21 points, bottom of the Eastern Conference, now 4-8-6 since Paul Mariner took over.
For Chicago, the win vaults them second in the East with 47 points. Amazingly (give preseason expectations), the Fire have pulled themselves to the brink of first, sitting only three back of East-leading Sporting Kansas City.
And here’s how they did it: