Fire's playoff hopes suffer setback

Fire's playoff hopes suffer setback

Published Oct. 4, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Chicago Fire 1, Philadelphia Union 3

Jack McInerney had a goal and an assist to lead the Philadelphia Union to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.

Gabriel Gomez and Antoine Hoppenot also scored to help Philadelphia (9-15-6) win for the second time in three games after an eight-game winless streak. With head coach Frank Klopas serving a one-game suspension, the Fire were coached by assistants Mike Matkovich and Leo Percovich.

Dominic Oduro scored for Chicago (16-10-5), which lost its second straight and remained tied with New York for second place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Kansas City with three matches remaining.

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Philadelphia opened the scoring in the 7th minute as McInerney took a pass from Danny Cruz, split defenders Jalil Anibaba and Arne Friedrich, and hammered the ball behind goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

McInerney set up Gomez for the second goal in the 67th minute as Gomez's kick flew into the upper far corner of the net as Chicago defender Austin Berry partially screened Johnson.

Chicago pulled to 2-1 two minutes later when Dominic Oduro's slow shot caught Philadelphia goalkeeper Zac MacMath away from the right post, and rolled into the net.

Hoppenot beat Johnson with a deflection at the 87-minute mark.

Vancouver Whitecaps 4, Chivas USA 0

Camilo scored in the second half and helped set up three other goals in the Vancouver Whitecaps' 4-0 victory over Chivas USA on Wednesday night.

Dane Richards added a goal and an assist, and Gershon Koffie and Barry Robson also scored.

The Whitecaps (11-12-9) snapped a seven-game winless streak to stretch their lead to five points over FC Dallas for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Chivas USA (7-17-7) has lost seven straight and hasn't scored in 532 minutes, the longest drought in the MLS this season.

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