Chicago Wins Expansion Team Battle

Chicago goalkeeper Zach Thornton made a diving stop of a Carlos Valderrama penalty kick in the 54th minute as the Fire beat the host Miami Fusion, 2-0, in front of 14,653 on Saturday.

“After the penalty kick we lost our momentum,” Miami Coach Carlos Cordoba said. “It was almost like they had scored a goal.”

The Fire quickly followed with the first goal of the game between the MLS’ two expansion teams. Miami drops to 0-2.

Roman Kosecki scored in the 76th minute off an assist headed by Ante Razov for the Fire’s first goal ever.

Washington 3, Kansas City 2--John Harkes’ goal in the 75th minute gave D.C. United a victory over the Wizards in front of 18,108 at Washington.

Columbus 2, Tampa Bay 1--Brian Maisonneuve and Brian McBride each scored goals as the Crew beat the Mutiny in front of 16,221 at Tampa.

Maisonneuve scored the game-winner in the 59th minute. Tampa Bay goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli thought a foul would be called as two players got tangled up. But as Ravelli stood still anticipating the call, Maisonneuve scored into the back of the net.

Dallas 2, Colorado 1--Mark Santel made up for an own-goal in the first half by scoring the game-winner in the shootout as the Burn beat the Rapids at Dallas.