BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire's 3-0 victory over D.C. United Saturday night has coach Veljko Paunovic’s guys right back where they want to be: on a modest three-game unbeaten run and looking up rather than down in the playoff standings.
A four-match losing skid had threatened to derail the Fire’s playoff ambitions. But Saturday night’s comprehensive victory, coupled with three points at Montreal two weeks ago and a hard-earned home tie with the New York Red Bulls last weekend, has pushed the Men in Red (14-9-6, 48 points) back within three points of second-place New York City FC, who tied at Colorado Saturday.