MLS wrap: Rolfe helps Fire burn Columbus

[David Luiz]

MLS wrap: Rolfe helps Fire burn Columbus

23 September 2012

Chicago Fire kept the pressure on MLS Eastern Conference leaders Sporting KC thanks to a 2-1 home win over Columbus on Saturday.

Jairo Arrieta gave the Crew the lead at Toyota Park after 15 minutes, but a brace from Chris Rolfe - who netted in the 23rd and 26th minutes - was enough to fire Chicago home.

The win saw Chicago trim the deficit between themselves and leaders Sporting to just two points after Kansas City could manage only a 0-0 draw in Montreal against the Impact, and the Fire have a game in hand.

In the West, defending champions LA Galaxy had two goals apiece from Juninho and Robbie Keane to thank for their 4-2 victory over Toronto, a triumph that lifted them into second place in the Conference on goal difference.

Juninho's brace had Galaxy 2-0 up inside 33 minutes, and when Keane scored three minutes later the Home Depot Center crowd were anticipating an easy win.

But Terry Dunfield made it 3-1 before the interval and a Luis Silva goal cut the margin to one with four minutes to play.

Keane made sure of the three points, however, when he netted in the second minute of stoppage time.

Real Salt Lake are third in the West after their 2-1 home win over the Portland Timbers.

Seattle Sounders had the chance to claim second place in the Western Conference, but goals from Simon Dawkins and Chris Wondolowski saw conference leaders San Jose Earthquakes beat the Sounders 2-1 in Washington.

And the New York Red Bulls drew 1-1 away against New England.

New York took the lead through Joel Lindpere in the 91st minute, but Darrius Barnes hit back for the Revolution in the fifth minute of stoppage time.