(Sports Network) - The Chicago Fire pulled within a point of second-place New England in the Eastern Conference after earning a 1-1 draw at Kansas City on Sunday afternoon at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Major League Soccer action. The Wizards' chances at a playoff spot took a hit, with the home-draw leaving them a point out of a wildcard spot with just three games to go in the regular season. There's a lot of competition for the league's two wildcard spots, with seven teams within four points in the middle of the league's overall table.

The Fire's Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored the game's first goal in first-half stoppage time when Kansas City defender Michael Harrington was called for a hand-ball in the penalty area. Blanco converted the ensuing penalty kick chance for his sixth goal of the season.

Harrington redeemed himself just after the break, however, when he scored the equalizer, his second goal of the season.

After taking a pass from Josh Wolff just outside the Fire penalty area on the left side, Harrington pulled a cheeky step-over and cut inside, past a defender, before unleashing a right-footed rocket into the far post side netting to tie the game at one.

That was how the score stayed as the two teams combined for just six shots on goal the entire match, which was a defensive struggle.

The Wizards (8-10-9) will aim to earn the full points next Saturday when they host the New England Revolution while Chicago (12-9-6) hosts league-leading Columbus a day later in its next league fixture.



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