Chicago closes in on SuperLiga semifinals with 1-0 win; Chivas needs help to advance

Chicago closes in on SuperLiga semis

BRIDGEVIEW, Illinois — The Chicago Fire put one foot in the semifinals of the SuperLiga with a 1-0 win over Chivas USA on Tuesday.

Midfielder Justin Mapp scored in the 35th minute to make it two wins from two games for Chicago, which needs only a draw from its last group game against Mexico’s UANL Tigres on Saturday to reach the semifinals.

Tigres were beaten 3-1 by Mexican rival San Luis on Tuesday, leaving both teams with three points from two games.

Chivas has no points, but could still advance on goal differential if it beats San Luis on Saturday by several goals and Tigres loses to Chicago.

Mapp pounced on a loose ball just inside the penalty box and lifted a shot past former Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton for the game-winner, putting a Chivas team that has the second-best record in Major League Soccer this season on the brink of elimination.

“I personally haven’t been starting a lot, so to get out there and help us get the win feels good,” Mapp said.

Chukwudi Chijindu nearly equalized in the 52nd minute for Chivas, but Chicago defender Austin Washington’s slide tackle in the goal mouth prevented a score.

“Their younger guys played better than our younger guys,” Chivas coach Preki said. “And that was the difference in the game.”

In the other game, veteran midfielder Braulio Luna scored the opener in the 55th minute and set up another just a minute later to help San Luis defeat Tigres.

Striker Jose Reyes took a pass from Luna and converted the second goal in the 56th minute.

Midfielder Juan Pablo Garcia pulled a goal back for Tigres in the 74th, but Argentine forward Alfredo Moreno restored the two-goal buffer and completed the scoring in the 76th.

“We knew we had to win or the tournament was over for us,” San Luis coach Juan Antonio Luna said. “Otherwise, it would just be like taking a vacation to Los Angeles this weekend.”