WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Lionard Pajoy's goal in first-half stoppage time Wednesday put D.C. United in front for good on its way to a 4-2 victory over Chicago.
United got off 22 shots, 12 of them on goal, in an offensive show that moved the team from fifth to third in the Eastern Conference.
Dwayne De Rosario, Brandon McDonald and Long Tan also scored for United (13-8-4), which moved two points in front of Houston and Chicago in the race for playoff positions.
Pajoy's goal broke a 1-1 tie after Chicago's Dan Paladini had deadlocked the game in the 44th minute.
A cross by Andy Najar found Pajoy in the center of the penalty area and his header sailed into the bottom left corner of the net. McDonald's goal came early in the second half to establish a 3-1 lead.
The Fire slipped to 12-9-5.
