Austin Berry #22 of the Chicago Fire and Jerry Bengtson #27 of the New England Revolution struggle for the ball in the second half during their MLS match at Toyota Park on August 18, 2012 in Bridgeview, Illinois. The Fire defeated the Revolution 2-1. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)
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BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP) — Sherjill MacDonald’s first MLS goal broke a tie just past midway through the first half and the Chicago Fire held on to beat the New England Revolution 2-1 Saturday night.
Chris Rolfe also scored to help the Fire (12-7-5) win their third straight and move into a tie with New York for second place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Kansas City.
Fernando Cardenas scored for New England (6-13-5), which dropped to 0-6-1 in its last seven matches. The Revolution also lost by one goal for the 12th time this season.
MacDonald scored in his fourth league game on a header from six yards out in the 25th minute. It was set up by Patrick Nyarko’s floating cross from deep in the left corner, and McDonald’s shot whistled past Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.
The 27-year-old MacDonald joined the Fire as a designated player on July 24, signed from a team in Belgium to boost Chicago’s attack.
The Fire opened the scoring on Rolfe’s penalty kick in the fifth minute. Rolfe, in his second stint with Chicago, was tripped in the penalty area by defender A.J. Soares, and referee Sorin Stoica awarded the penalty kick.
New England tied it on Cardenas’ shot from the goalmouth in the 11th minute. Cardenas’ kick caromed off goalkeeper Sean Johnson and a Chicago defender before rolling over the goal line.
Johnson preserved the victory by diving to stop a 28-yard shot by Soares just before time expired.
