clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Chicago Fire Vs. Toronto FC Recap: Alvaro Fernandez, Chris Rolfe Score In 2-1 Win

The Chicago Fire moved into second place in the Eastern Conference with a dominating 2-1 win over the basement-dwelling Toronto FC.

By James Brady
Sep 12, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Chicago Fire defender Jalil Anibaba (6) tries to settle the ball against Toronto FC forward Andrew Wiedeman (32) at BMO Field. The Fire beat the FC 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE
Sep 12, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Chicago Fire defender Jalil Anibaba (6) tries to settle the ball against Toronto FC forward Andrew Wiedeman (32) at BMO Field. The Fire beat the FC 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

The Chicago Fire are now just three points out of first place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, with the third-best record in MLS. Their spot in second place was affirmed on Wednesday when they bested Toronto FC, 2-1, and they trail only Sporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference standings.

Alvaro Fernandez and Chris Rolfe provided the scoring for Chicago. Fernandez hit the net first, putting home a Pavel Pardo cross in the 13th minute. It came immediately after a turnover from Aaron Maund. Pardo hit the post and had the ball come right back to him, and he fired it off to an open Fernandez for the goal. Rolfe also scored in the first half, nailing his team-leading sixth goal of the season. He hit one from 22 yards after a poorly-cleared corner kick.

Eric Hassli scored the only goal for Toronto, but he was only able to cut the lead in half, and it didn't lead to a real comeback. Toronto was missing some key players in Ryan Johnson, Terry Dunfield and Dicoy Williams, as the Chicago Tribune notes. The newly acquired Wells Thompson entered for the Fire in the second half, but didn't do anything of significance.

For more on the Chicago Fire, head on over to Hot Time In Old Town, and be sure to check out SB Nation's soccer hub.