Fire clinch playoff spot with 1-0 victory over Chivas USA

Fire beat Chivas USA 1-0 to clinch playoff spot

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — The Chicago Fire clinched a playoff spot by beating CD Chivas USA 1-0 in their season finale Thursday night.

The Fire (11-7-12) got an own goal from Chivas’ Eduardo Lillingston in the 68th minute. The forward headed Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s corner kick — Chicago’s 14th of the game — past goalkeeper Zach Thornton.

The victory snapped the Fire’s 0-4-2 stretch and secured Chicago’s fifth consecutive appearance in the MLS Cup playoffs, where it will hold the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Fire’s opponent will be determined this weekend as six teams are vying for the last two spots.

The loss by Chivas (13-10-6) also allowed defending MLS Cup champion Columbus to clinch the Supporters’ Shield for having the best regular-season record.

The Fire outshot Chivas 12-5 and goalkeeper Jon Busch made two saves for his 10th shutout, tying a career high set with Columbus in 2004.

Chivas USA has already clinched a playoff berth and is tied with Houston and Los Angeles atop the West while Seattle is one point back in fourth place.

Chivas hosts the Dynamo on Sunday, a day after the Galaxy faces San Jose and the Sounders meet Dallas.

Story from: STATS LLC, www.stats.com.