CARSON, Calif., May 29 (UPI) -- Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored on his second penalty kick of the game in stoppage time Thursday, giving the Chicago Fire a 3-2 MLS victory over Chivas USA.
Chivas, despite playing with just 10 men from the 63rd minute, appeared to have handed Chicago its first loss of the season until two late goals altered the outcome.
Patrick Nyarko collected a deflection and scored in the 89th minute to bring Chicago into a 2-2 tie and a questionable penalty in the box just moments before the game's end allowed Chicago to improve to 5
6.
Chicago leads D.C. United and Toronto by five points in the Eastern Conference.
The game brought together the MLS conference leaders and it was a physical affair that included 10 yellow cards and one ejection.
Paulo Nagamura opened the scoring by beating Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch from outside the penalty area in the 16th minute for his fourth goal of the season.
Chicago tied it in the 25th minute on Blanco's first penalty kick, but Chivas regained the lead a dozen minutes later on its own penalty kick by Maykel Galindo.
Chivas (8-2-3) remained eight points in front of Seattle in the West.
