Frisco, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Fire thrust themselves into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race on Saturday after holding on for a nervy 3-2 victory over FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium.
Coming off a comfortable 3-0 win over D.C. United last week, Chicago was on the front foot from the outset and grabbed the lead 25 minutes into the proceedings when Mike Magee whipped a corner kick into the area where Juan Luis Anangono nodded it home to put the visitors up.
Three minutes before the break Chicago got some good fortune to make it 2-0 when Alex ripped a shot from distance that deflected off the back of Magee and rolled past FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz.
The Fire made it a three-goal margin in the 52nd minute when Jalil Anibaba collected a loose clearance by Jackson and curled a beautiful strike into the top right corner.
But, playing for their playoff lives, FC Dallas had some life when Kenny Cooper brought a ball down in the box and fought off Gonzalo Segares to power it home in the 63rd minute to bring the hosts within two.
Copper completed a brace in the 75th minute after he converted a penalty kick for his sixth goal of the season, but FCD was unable to find an equalizer as Chicago took three points.
The result sees the Fire into fifth place in the East on 46 points, while FC Dallas sees their playoff dreams come to an end with the defeat.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.