Sporting Kansas City secured their place in the MLS playoffs courtesy of a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire.
The home side were handed the chance to take the lead when Benny Feilhaber was fouled in the penalty area by Lovel Palmer in the 12th minute. Dominic Dwyer took the spot kick, but he blasted his effort over the bar.
The Fire should have taken the lead when a loose ball into the area fell at the feet of Matt Watson, but his volleyed effort was tipped past the post by Andy Gruenebaum.
Gruenebaum kept his side level again minutes later when he produced an excellent reaction stop to deny Quincy Amarikwa as the striker's low effort looked destined for the bottom corner.
Kansas City almost went ahead when Dwyer did well down the left as he cut the ball back to Feilhaber, but his strike from the edge of the area was tipped onto the post by Sean Johnson.
The home side kept pressing in the second half and a solo run from Dwyer almost yielded a goal, but his left-footed shot curled just past the post.
However, in the 80th minute Kansas City finally took the lead when Graham Zusi drove at goal and powered a shot past Johnson into the top corner.
Dwyer made sure his side booked their place in the playoffs when he notched his 21st goal of the season in stoppage time to seal the win.
Simon Sinclair
