Needing a victory to stay in the playoff race; playing without suspended coach Frank Klopas, assistant coach Leo Percovich and central defender Bakary Soumare; and just two days after an “editorial” on the club’s website unleashed a storm of controversy, the Fire overcame the distractions to defeat first-place Sporting Kansas City 1-0 in front of 17,085 fans.

In the press: Sporting Kansas City 0 – Chicago Fire 1

Chicago Tribune: “Pappa leads Fire past Sporting KC: 5th goal leads to 3rd straight win” With the Fire carrying a 2-4-1 road record into Friday’s tilt and Sporting losing just once at home all season, the home side looked like a strong bet to take maximum points in the crucial Eastern Conference clash. Chicago Sun-Times: … Read more