Former Fulham captain Brian McBride scored a crucial penalty as the Chicago Fire overcame a slow start to see off FC dallas in their opening MLS game of the season.
Dallas went ahead as early as the ninth minute when a terrific moment of opportunism from striker Kenny Cooner saw beat a stranded John Busch from 60 yards.
Man of the match Justin Mapp scored a timely equaliser some seven minutes before half time for the Fire. Patrick Nyarko played him in after a slip from Dallas defender Steve Purdy and Mapp’s powerful left-footed finish levelled the contest at 1-1.
Just six minutes after the break, the Fire got the chance to go ahead for the first team when Drew Moor handballed under pressure. McBride made no mistake with his penalty, placing his spot-kick into the right-hand corner. Substitute Cuauhtemoc Blanco sealed the victory with a brilliant stoppage time free-kick.
McBride and the Fire will be back in action at DC United next Friday night.
