Jeff Larentowicz scored in the 83rd minute to lift the Chicago Fire to a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night.
Larentowicz headed Austin Berry's pass by Columbus goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum from five yards out to cap a furious rally that saw Chicago take 16 shots at the Crew goal in the second half.
Chicago (2-4-1) won for the second time in three matches to climb out of a tie at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Sean Johnson made two saves for his second shutout of the season.
The Crew (2-2-3) snapped their four-game unbeaten streak (1-0-3).
Chicago had pressed the attack from early in the second half, first when Sherjill MacDonald was stopped by Gruenebaum from 17 yards out.
Three minutes later, midfielder Gonzalo Segares' left-footed blast was kicked out by Gruenebaum. He made two more saves on MacDonald in the next 8 minutes, the latter on the tough angle shot.
But Larentowicz broke through a pair of Columbus defenders and was open to receive the headed pass from Berry and head it into the net to Gruenebaum's left for his first goal of the season.
The Crew had one last opportunity in stoppage time, but Agustin Viana's header from 15 yards out flew wide of the Chicago net.
Columbus had the best chance of a quiet first half, but Dominic Oduro fired his 18-yard shot wide in the 15th minute. Earlier, an apparent score by Columbus' Chad Marshall was wiped out by an offside call.
