MLS: Chicago Fire 3 New York Red Bulls 1

Maicon Santos has scored twice as Chicago Fire defeated New York Red Bulls 3-1 to notch their first victory of the MLS season.

Santos struck twice in six minutes to cap off the Fire’s comeback against the visiting Red Bulls, who had taken an early lead through Jamison Olave but failed to hold on as they lost their third match of the 2013 season.

Chicago’s victory has taken them to eighth in the MLS’ Eastern Conference on goals scored, just one point behind the seventh-placed Red Bulls.

Olave got on the scoresheet in the 18th minute on Sunday when he volleyed the ball over his shoulder and into the net following a corner from Juninho Pernambucano.

But the Fire equalised just before half-time when Daniel Paladini took advantage of lacklustre goalkeeping from Luis Robles to head Hunter Jumper’s cross home from close range after New York’s gloveman allowed the Chicago midfielder to get to the high ball ahead of him.

In a tight second half, the home side finally took the lead with seven minutes remaining when Santos took Paladini’s through ball, burst into the left-hand side of the box before cutting inside and slotting his shot underneath Robles.

The 28-year-old Brazilian striker wrapped up the three points for Chicago in the 89th minute, tapping in Jeff Larentowicz’s header across goal from Paladini’s free-kick.