MLS Review: Fire stun Red Bulls

Eastern Conference strugglers Chicago Fire stunned New York Red Bulls to register their first win in five games on Wednesday.

Up against the second-placed team in the East’s standings, Chicago recovered from conceding an early penalty to storm into the lead by half-time, while the Red Bulls’ controversial leveller just after the break did not halt the Fire, who triumphed 3-2 thanks to Kennedy Igboananike’s second goal.

The result ended the Red Bulls’ six-game unbeaten run in MLS, while Chicago notched just their second victory in eight league fixtures.

Sacha Kljestan put the visitors ahead in the 10th minute at Toyota Park, with the midfielder converting from the spot, but in-form Nigerian striker Igboananike dragged the hosts back into the contest with a sharp finish 12 minutes later.

Michael Stephens cleverly set-up Chicago’s next goal, chesting a pass to Patrick Nyarko, who struck on the turn four minutes before the interval.

The Red Bulls showed some craftiness for their second goal, with Lloyd Sam setting up a corner and tapping the ball slightly, before walking away as if to leave the set-piece for Kljestan.

But after checking with the assistant referee, Kljestan dribbled away from the corner flag – Sam’s touch had restarted play – before cutting the ball back for Ronald Zubar to score.

Chicago were unimpressed but it mattered little in the end as Igboananike got on the end of David Accam’s cutback to post the winning goal in the 73rd minute.

In the other match, Kevin Doyle’s late header saw Colorado Rapids defeat Houston Dynamo 2-1 after both sides had scored first-half penalties.