SOCCER: Fire heat up late to drop D.C. United, three-game losing streak

Chicago Fire ended a three-match skid across all competitions with a 3-1 road victory over D.C. United on Wednesday in Washington, led by a late surge and a decisive goal from MLS scoring leader Hugo Cuypers.

Cuypers struck in the 71st minute to secure the win, as Chicago improved to 6-4-2 (20 points) and avenged a 2-1 defeat to D.C. United on March 14. The result also strengthened the Fire’s hold on fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Robin Lod and Maren Haile-Selassie also scored second-half goals, helping Chicago respond after a difficult stretch in which it had conceded three goals in each of its previous two MLS matches. Goalkeeper Chris Brady made six saves to help stabilize the defense.

D.C. United (4-5-4, 16 points) took the lead in the 41st minute through Tai Baribo, who finished a well-worked sequence involving Louis Munteanu. Baribo later struck a left-footed shot into the left side of the net for his seventh goal of the season, ending a short scoring drought after returning from injury.

Chicago equalized in the 62nd minute when Philip Zinckernagel delivered a cross from the right wing and Lod headed home from close range. D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson got a touch on the effort but could not keep it out.

The Fire completed the comeback in the 71st minute after Johnson saved a penalty from Cuypers. The rebound fell to Chicago defender Andrew Gutman, who quickly set up Cuypers for a close-range finish.

The penalty was awarded after a foul on Puso Dithejane inside the box.

Haile-Selassie sealed the result late, finishing off another rebound after Johnson stopped a Zinckernagel free kick but could not secure the ball in wet conditions. The midfielder placed his shot into the top right corner for his third goal of the season.

Dje D'Avilla picked up a yellow card in the 20th minute, his fifth of the season, triggering a suspension that will rule him out of Chicago’s next match against CF Montréal on Saturday.

Chicago’s comeback victory marked a strong response after recent defensive struggles, while D.C. United’s unbeaten run came to an end after five matches. -Field Level Media/Reuters