Chivas' Supporters' Shield chase ends

Red-and-White can still clinch top seed in Western Conference

A 67th-minute own goal by Chivas forward Eduardo Lillingston, who headed a Cuauhtemoc Blanco corner kick past goalkeeper Zach Thornton, proved to be the difference. With the victory, the Fire clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs and home-field advantage in the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.

Coming into the game, Chivas had outscored their opponents 9-3 in its last six games, posting a 4-0-2 record. But the constant rain, leading to a slick field, left the Red-and-White attack looking a bit deflated against the Fire.

Chivas got off to a good start, owning much of the early possession. Lillingston and midfielder Jesus Padilla were active, with Padilla sliding and sending the ball toward goal, only to see it go wide.

In the 15th minute, the Fire got three consecutive corner kicks. With Blanco not in the starting lineup, Husidic took the kick from the left side, and his second effort went to the far post where Brian McBride sent a sharp header toward Thornton. The ball bounced back out to Brandon Prideaux, who fired a rebound shot that Chivas midfielder Gerson Mayen leaned forward to head off the line.

Seven minutes later, the Fire fired a trio of shots at the end of their fourth corner kick. None reached the back of the net, but Chris Rolfe's effort from 35 yards out was deflected off the left post by a save from Thornton at full stretch.

Padilla nearly struck again in the 30th minute, rocketing a shot over the goal.

The Fire continued the pressure in the second half, winning corner after corner. Just three minutes after coming on as a substitute, Blanco bent a perfect corner into the box, where Lillingston headed it into his own goal to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.

With their Supporters' Shield chances still alive even with a draw, Chivas pushed for the equalizer. Fire defender Dasan Robinson sent substitute Maicon Santos to the pitch in the 82nd minute. The visitors looked to take advantage of the resulting free kick, but Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch grabbed the ball before things got out of control.

Second-half substitutions Paulo Nagamura and Justin Braun couldn't spark the Chivas offense, unable to find the equalizer. The loss was the first for Chivas since August 29, a 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy. It was also the first time Chivas was shut out since a 0-0 draw at Seattle on Sept. 19.

With first place in the Western Conference still on the line, depending on the remainder of the results over the weekend, Chivas USA will close out their regular season on Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center against the Houston Dynamo.

Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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