Supporters' Shield leaders the Revolution booked their play-off spot courtesy of a 90th-minute winner from MVP candidate Carles Gil on Wednesday.
New England – 15 points clear atop the Eastern Conference and 10 points ahead in the Supporters' Shield race – entered the midweek clash amid a four-match unbeaten streak against Chicago – the Revolution's longest undefeated run versus the Fire.
They extended that streak in an entertaining showdown with hosts the Fire at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Henry Kessler opened the scoring for the Revs in the 11th minute before Chicago's Carlos Teran restored parity entering the interval.
The Revs and Fire traded goals via Teal Bunbury and Gaston Gimenez before substitute Gil struck at the death.
Nashville, who are second to New England in the east, crushed David Beckham's Inter Miami 5-1.
Inter Miami's club-record six-match unbeaten streak (W5 D1) ended with a 4-0 rout at the hands of New York Red Bulls last time out – it was only the club's second defeat in 12 matches following a six-game losing run.
But Inter Miami crashed to consecutive humiliating defeats in a match that saw Gregore sent off with four minutes of regulation remaining.
Hany Mukhtar's brace fuelled visiting Nashville, with Inter Miami ninth in the Eastern Conference and three points adrift of the play-off positions.
Meanwhile, the derby honours were shared between the Red Bulls and 10-man New York City following a dramatic 1-1 draw.
Patryk Klimala converted a 102nd-minute penalty to salvage a point for the Red Bulls.
Cristian Roldan inspired Seattle to a 3-1 win over the Galaxy in California.
Roldan opened the scoring in the 12th minute, completing a fine team move by getting on the end of a Jordan Morris cross.
Morris doubled the lead seven minutes before half-time, finishing after a lovely pass from Nicolas Lodeiro.
Roldan produced a clinical finish from a Joao Paulo pass to make it 3-0 just after the hour-mark, with Seattle winning despite Sebastian Lletget's late goal for the LA Galaxy.
It marked Roldan's third multi-goal game in MLS, and two have come against the Galaxy.
Seattle are top of the Western Conference, equal on points with the Portland Timbers, who recorded a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
After joining Inter Miami following his Juventus release, Higuain had a tough debut in a 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union.
Higuain hit the outside of the post with a bicycle kick and later put a penalty over the crossbar.
Anthony Fontana, Ilsinho and Brenden Aaronson scored for Philadelphia, who are second in the Eastern Conference.
Higuain, meanwhile, has failed to convert his past four penalties in all competitions.
Eastern Conference leaders Columbus Crew fell to a 3-1 loss to Toronto.
The New York Red Bulls thrashed the Montreal Impact 4-1, the New England Revolution beat DC United 2-0 and Chicago Fire overcame Atlanta United 2-0.
Minnesota United played out a goalless draw with Real Salt Lake, while Dallas' clash with Orlando City also finished 0-0.
The San Jose Earthquakes ended a nine-game winless run by beating Los Angeles FC 2-1.
Trailing 4-2 heading into the 90th minute, former Manchester United and Italy forward Giuseppe Rossi reduced the deficit for RSL in Portland – his first MLS goal.
And Sam Johnson completed the stunning comeback against the MLS is Back Tournament champions in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
In a wild showdown, the Timbers opened the scoring through Diego Chara in the sixth minute before RSL's Corey Baird restored parity 13 minutes later, but Jaroslaw Niezgoda's effort within two minutes ensured Portland led 2-1 at half-time.
After Real Salt Lake equalised again, this time courtesy of Damir Kreilach three minutes into the second half, Portland took control of the contest.
Sebastian Blanco's stunning effort with 20 minutes remaining and Felipe Mora's effort five minutes from time seemingly had the Timbers on track before the hosts capitulated.
The Timbers are fourth in the Western Conference, a point above RSL after seven matches.
LA Galaxy beat San Jose Earthquakes for the first time since 2018 thanks to their 3-2 triumph in the California Clasico.
Sebastian Lletget's 82nd-minute goal settled the five-goal thriller after the Earthquakes had led 1-0 and 2-1 against the Galaxy.
After posting just their second win in the regular season, the Galaxy are ninth in the west, while the Earthquakes are eighth.
In other results, Philadelphia Union crushed DC United 4-1, New York City accounted for Chicago Fire 3-1, Dallas defeated Minnesota United by the same scoreline and Orlando City also topped Atlanta United 3-1.
FC Cincinnati played out a 0-0 draw with Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls drew 1-1 against New England Revolution, while Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City were held to a 1-1 draw by Colorado Rapids.
Alan Pulido, Luis Martins and Daniel Salloi all scored within 16 minutes as KC raced to a 3-0 lead. Salloi's classy volley took his tally to nine goals this MLS season.
Israeli midfielder Gadi Kinda added a fourth in the 58th minute with Graham Zusi getting his second assist, before LAFC got a consolation from Danny Musovski.
The win lifted Sporting KC past Seattle Sounders who conceded in the 90th minute to draw 1-1 at home with Dallas.
Fredy Montero had put the Sounders ahead in the 72nd minute with a set-piece header but Dallas equalised from Franco Jara's 90th-minute close-range strike.
Sporting KC are ahead of Seattle on goal difference, with both sides having 33 points, although the leaders have a game in hand.
LA Galaxy are third following a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, secured by Efrain Alvarez's cool 53rd-minute winner.
Eastern Conference leaders New England extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 0-0 draw against Nashville, who slip to fourth despite the result.
The draw also extends Nashville's undefeated streak to nine games.
Former England international Kieran Gibbs netted a 66th-minute equaliser to earn Inter Miami a 1-1 draw away to fellow Florida outfit Orlando City. The goal was Gibbs' first in the MLS.
Philadelphia Union ended their three-game winless run with a 3-0 victory over Toronto after three first-half strikes.
Ola Kamara and Yordy Reyna both netted doubles as DC United won 4-2 over Columbus Crew.
Tomas Pochettino scored a first-half brace as struggling Austin won 3-2 over Houston Dynamo.
Chicago Fire and 10-man New York City played out a goalless draw, while New York Red Bulls and Cincinnati also ended 0-0 and Portland Timbers drew 1-1 with San Jose Earthquakes.
Sergio Santos netted three times as Philadelphia crushed Toronto 5-0 at Subaru Park on Saturday.
The result equalled the Union's biggest ever win and Toronto's largest defeat, as per Opta.
Philadelphia needed until the 27th minute to get going, Sergio Santos heading in a wonderful cross from Kai Wagner.
Just six minutes later and the hosts doubled their lead, Mark McKenzie heading in from close range after a corner.
Jamiro scored a spectacular third for Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia in the 56th minute, his 20-yard effort going in off the underside of the crossbar.
Sergio Santos put away two more to complete his hat-trick – the fourth in the Union's history and first since C.J. Sapong in May 2017.
Western Conference leaders Sporting also enjoyed a fine win, thrashing the Colorado Rapids 4-0.
Alan Pulido, Andreu Fontas, Gadi Kinda and Gerso Fernandes netted in the victory.
Leandro Gonzalez Pirez's 89th-minute winner saw Inter Miami – without the suspended Gonzalo Higuain – edge Orlando City 2-1, while DC United overcame Atlanta United 2-1.
New York City recorded a 3-1 victory over the Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps were too good for the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1.
The Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls drew 2-2, Minnesota United edged Cincinnati 1-0, Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew drew 1-1 and Real Salt Lake and Dallas played out a goalless draw.
Super sub Ruidiaz came off the bench and scored a delightful game-winning goal just past the hour-mark as the Sounders downed Dallas 1-0 in MLS on Wednesday.
The Sounders were winless in 10 consecutive visits to Dallas (D3 L7, including play-offs) dating back to 2014 – their second-longest winless away run against a single opponent in MLS (11 straight at LA Galaxy from 2010 to 2015).
But Seattle snapped that skid thanks to Ruidiaz as Sporting KC's 1-1 draw with Portland Timbers allowed the Sounders to move top of the west by one point.
Atlanta extended their winning streak to three matches after Ezequiel Barco's first-half goal secured a 1-0 win at home to Toronto.
Since the sacking of head coach Gabriel Heinze following a falling out with star Josef Martinez, Atlanta – who had won successive matches for the first time since the opening two games of the 2020 season entering the fixture – have steadily climbed the table.
Atlanta are three points outside of the play-off positions in the Eastern Conference, which is topped by New England Revolution – 3-2 victors against DC United despite ending the contest with 10 men.
Elsewhere, Rodolfo Pizarro's stoppage-time winner guided Inter Miami to a dramatic 3-2 win against Chicago Fire midweek.
Pizarro struck in the 93rd minute to clinch a third straight home triumph for David Beckham's Inter Miami, who have now lost just once in their last six games.
Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls were 1-0 winners over New York City and Columbus Crew respectively, Vancouver Whitecaps topped Austin 2-1, Real Salt Lake defeated Houston Dynamo by the same scoreline, 10-man Montreal drew 0-0 with Cincinnati, while Nashville and Orlando City played out a 1-1 draw.
The Cascadia derby did not disappoint on Sunday, with the Sounders snapping a three-game winless streak behind Montero and Ruidiaz.
Entering the fixture, the slumping Sounders had won three of their last four away matches against the Timbers (L1) after winning just three of the first 14 MLS encounters in Portland (D3 L8, including play-offs).
Montero scored twice inside the opening 29 minutes to put the Sounders in control before Sebastian Blanco and George Fochive restored parity for the Timbers by the 52nd-minute mark at Providence Park.
Beginning with the 2018 playoffs, Ruidiaz had scored (eight) or assisted (two) on 10 of the Sounders' last 14 goals against the Timbers, including seven of eight goals in Portland (five goals and two assists) during that time.
Ruidiaz turned Sunday's match on its head with a stunning brace, including his memorable 55th-minute free-kick.
Jimmy Medranda's thunderous 77th-minute volley and Nicolas Benezet's stoppage-time effort completed the rout.
Seattle are second in the Western Conference, only a point behind Sporting Kansas City after 19 games, while Portland are eighth.
Elsewhere, Josef Martinez celebrated a long-awaited home goal as Atlanta United edged Los Angeles FC 1-0.
Martinez had not scored at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since October 2019, but the Venezuelan star ended his drought in the 47th minute.
Nashville are third in the Eastern Conference following their 5-2 drubbing of DC United – a victory inspired by CJ Sapong's brace, while snapping DC United's five-game unbeaten streak.
Chicago Fire topped defending champions Columbus Crew 1-0 via Luka Stojanovic's winner with 15 minutes remaining.
Cristian Roldan and Will Bruin scored to lift the Sounders to the summit in the west, leapfrogging hosts Sporting KC.
Sporting KC were on a three-game winning streak against Seattle – the longest active winning run against the Sounders as no team had won four in a row versus the franchise since San Jose Earthquakes in 2012-13.
But Seattle ended that skid against Sporting KC – Roldan opened the scoring in the 31st minute at Children's Mercy Park, where the Sounders star got on the end of Brad Smith's cross.
Bruin doubled the lead against the run of play 10 minutes into the second half after heading home at the far post.
Entering the fixture, the Sounders conceded an MLS-low 20 goals this season, with opponents scoring with just 7.2 per cent of their shots, also lowest in the league. Seattle had also outperformed their expected goals against by 8.1 this season (20 conceded, 28.1 expected).
The Sounders were breached by Johnny Russell on the hour mark, but Seattle held on for victory to sit two points clear of Sporting KC in the west.
Elsewhere, Austin – bottom of the Western Conference – stunned fifth-placed LA Galaxy 2-0, while Chicago Fire held second-placed Nashville to a 0-0 draw in the east.
After Raul Ruidiaz's 40th minute opener, the visitors had taken the lead after goals from Cristian Dajome and Lucas Cavallini.
Medranda intervened with his 71st minute strike, coming after a corner was cleared into his path, lashing home from the edge of the box.
The result means Seattle remain top in the Western Conference, having conceded only seven goals in 11 games.
It also ends Vancouver's five-game losing streak, although they remain second last in the west.
Former Manchester United striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez scored a double to lift LA Galaxy to a 3-1 win away to San Jose Earthquakes.
The Mexico international opened the scoring in the 11th minute when he swept home Samuel Grandsir's dangerous cross from the right.
Hernandez produced a similar finish to double their advantage in the 50th minute, tapping home from Kevin Cabral's ball.
Galaxy are third in the Western Conference, four points behind Seattle with a game in hand.
Philadelphia Union extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a 3-3 draw away to Chicago Fire.
Toronto's struggles continued with a 2-0 home defeat to Cincinnati, condemning them to five consecutive defeats.
Sporting Kansas City defeated Los Angeles FC 2-1, Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo drew 1-1, Minnesota United won 1-0 at Portland Timbers and Abu Danladi netted a late leveller to help Nashville claim a 1-1 home draw with Montreal.
Cristian Roldan, Jimmy Medranda and Joao Paolo scored in a three-goal first half to inspire the Sounders against the Rapids in Seattle.
The Rapids were enjoying their second-best unbeaten run in club history, only behind the 15-game undefeated streak from April 2016 to July 2016.
But Colorado came unstuck away to the Sounders at Lumen Field, where Roldan broke the deadlock in the second minute before Medranda and Paolo's moment of individual brilliance made it 3-0 prior to half-time.
The Sounders are top of the west, two points clear of Sporting Kansas City, who beat Houston Dynamo 4-2 behind Daniel Salloi's magical performance (one goal and an assist) and Johnny Russell's brace.
Entering the contest, Salloi and Russell had been directly involved, either together or individually, in Sporting KC's previous seven goals (Salloi three goals, Russell three goals and two assists). At least one of those two players had scored or assisted on 19 of the 23 goals Kansas City scored since late July.
David Beckham's Inter Miami and their hopes of featuring in the play-offs were dealt a blow following a 1-0 defeat to Portland Timbers.
Jaroslaw Niezgoda struck to extend Portland's unbeaten run to eight matches, including seven wins, and condemn Inter Miami to a fourth consecutive loss.
Inter Miami are eight points adrift of the post-season places in the Eastern Conference with seven fixtures remaining, while the fourth-placed Timbers are seven points clear of Real Salt Lake in the battle for home-field advantage.
Elsewhere, 10-man Philadelphia Union were 3-0 winners over defending champions Columbus Crew, Toronto defeated Chicago Fire 3-1 and New York City drew 0-0 with Nashville, while the El Trafico derby between LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC ended 1-1.
Johnny Russell's 79th-minute goal gave Sporting KC a 2-1 win away to Seattle Sounders, locking up a play-off spot for the second-placed team in the Western Conference table as Russell netted for the seventh straight game.
Colorado also are in after defeating Portland Timbers 2-0 behind golas from Dominique Badji and Diego Rubio.
The Seattle loss ensured New England, who face Orlando City on Sunday, will finish atop the overall table. The Revs are on 69 points, 20 points clear of Philadelphia and Nashville in the Eastern Conference and 11 clear of Seattle overall.
Nashville had a chance to clinch the play-offs with a win but fell 1-0 to Philadelphia Union on Kacper Przybylko's first-half penalty.
Inter Miami got a goal and three assists from Gonzalo Higuain, while his brother Federico also found the net in a 5-1 rout of Cincinnati, who lost their ninth in a row.
Toronto dealt a blow to rival Montreal's play-off hopes as Jozy Altidore's free kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time secured a 1-1 draw after Sunusi Ibrahim had netted in the 55th minute for the visitors.
Minnesota and LAFC also finished at 1-1, as did San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps.
New York City crushed DC United 6-0 and Sean Nealis' 87th-minute goal lifted New York Red Bulls past Columbus Crew 2-1.
Sebastian Lletget's brilliant 83rd-minute equaliser gave LA Galaxy a 2-2 draw with Dallas, while Chicago Fire downed Real Salt Lake 1-0.
Johnny Russell scored a goal and assisted two others as Sporting KC routed Minnesota at Children's Mercy Park on Wednesday.
Russell converted a penalty as part of a three-goal first half, with Khiry Shelton and Daniel Salloi also on target against the visitors.
Cameron Duke added a fourth goal seven minutes into the second half as Sporting KC found the back of the net in their 28th consecutive regular-season home game dating back to August 2019 – the longest active streak in MLS.
Sporting KC are a point clear in the west, though second-placed Seattle Sounders have played two games less, while Minnesota are two points outside the play-off positions.
San Jose Earthquakes star Javier Lopez scored a hat-trick, but Real Salt Lake still prevailed 4-3 in a wild clash.
Lopez opened the scoring in the 26th minute and completed his treble in the second half, however, RSL emerged victorious thanks to Rubio Rubin's brace.
The result snapped a five-match away losing streak for RSL, who ended San Jose's run of three consecutive wins over their rivals in MLS – a run that had equalled the longest streak by either team in history.
Elsewhere, former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez salvaged a 1-1 draw for LA Galaxy against Houston Dynamo.
Another ex-United star, Nani, was sent off in the first half as Orlando City were beaten 4-2 by Montreal, Ola Kamara's opening-half hat-trick lifted DC United past Chicago Fire 3-0, Atlanta United were 4-0 winners against FC Cincinnati courtesy of a Josef Martinez double, Los Angeles FC edged Austin 2-1 and 10-man Portland Timbers drew 2-2 with Colorado Rapids.
Patrick Mullins' first-half goal saw Toronto edge FC Cincinnati 1-0 on Sunday to book a spot in the play-offs.
Mullins produced a side-footed finish from inside the area after a Richie Laryea cutback just before the half-hour mark.
Toronto are top of the Eastern Conference and three points clear of Philadelphia Union.
Philadelphia won six straight home regular-season matches for the first time in their history, as per Opta, thanks to a 2-1 win over Montreal Impact.
Danny Musovski scored a double as LAFC enjoyed a 3-1 victory against Seattle Sounders.
LAFC are fourth in the Western Conference, which the Sounders top.
Erik Hurtado scored a spectacular volley to see Sporting Kansas City edge a 10-man Nashville 2-1.
Hurtado produced a wonderful finish from Amadou Dia's lofted pass to earn Sporting three points.
New England Revolution beat New York City 2-1, Chicago Fire were 2-1 winners over DC United and Jaroslaw Niezgoda netted twice as Portland Timbers claimed a 3-0 victory against San Jose Earthquakes.
Alejandro Pozuelo's fine run of form continued as Toronto came from behind to beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1 in Connecticut.
Sergio Santos' delicate chip had put Philadelphia ahead in the fifth minute, but Toronto fought back in the second half.
Ayo Akinola headed in a Tony Gallacher cross from the left approaching the hour-mark to bring Greg Vanney's side level.
Pozuelo scored what proved to be the winner in the 76th minute, heading in at the back post following a corner.
As Toronto won for the 10th time in their past 13 meetings with the Union, Pozuelo has been directly involved in 10 goals since the MLS regular season resumed in August, as per Opta.
Toronto joined Columbus on 31 points atop the Eastern Conference after the Crew were held to a 2-2 draw by Dallas.
LA Galaxy are bottom of the Western Conference after slumping to a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes in the California Clasico.
The Galaxy seemed on track when Sebastian Lletget put away the opener after Javier Hernandez hit the post, and goalkeeper David Bingham saved Chris Wondolowski's 12th-minute penalty.
But Marcos Lopez drilled in a wonderful equaliser before half-time, and Andres Rios made no mistake with San Jose's second spot-kick of the game in the 82nd minute.
Orlando City continued their fine season with a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.
The club's tally of 29 points from their first 15 matches is five more than they have ever had through the same number of games in any previous campaign, according to Opta.
Gonzalo Higuain's Inter Miami fell to a 3-2 loss to New York City, while Atlanta United crushed DC United 4-0.
Montreal Impact and Chicago Fire drew 2-2, Alan Pulido scored a brace as Sporting Kansas City edged Houston Dynamo 2-1 and Minnesota United enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Cincinnati.
Western Conference leaders the Seattle Sounders beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1, while the clash between the New England Revolution and Nashville finished goalless.
Birthday boy Vela scored a stunning chip on the stroke of half-time to ensure reigning Supporters' Shield champions LAFC made the perfect start to the 2020 season on Sunday.
Co-owner David Beckham, his famous wife Victoria and Inter's hierarchy were in the stands as the expansion franchise made history in Los Angeles.
Inter battled in their first-ever MLS match but Diego Alonso's side came unstuck following a moment of brilliance from Vela on his 31st birthday.
Former Arsenal forward Vela – who scored a record-breaking 34 goals in a MVP season last term – chipped the ball over Inter captain and goalkeeper Luis Robles in the 44th minute at Banc of California Stadium.
"Surely we have to improve in football, but with this heart and with this intensity with which the team plays, we will surely win many games," said Inter head coach Alonso.
"Against maybe the best team in the league we gave a tremendous picture today of what we can become. With only six weeks of work, the merit is certainly from the footballers for what we have done today and the work they have done."
Seattle Sounders started their title defence with a dramatic 2-1 victory at home to Chicago Fire thanks to substitute Jordan Morris' brace.
Trailing to Robert Beric's 46th-minute opener, the Sounders equalised via Morris just past the hour mark before he netted the winner in the third minute of stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Kevin Molino scored twice as Minnesota United upstaged Portland Timbers 3-1, New York Red Bulls edged Cincinnati 3-2 and 10-man New York City lost 1-0 away to Columbus Crew.
NYCFC reached the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, only to suffer a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to the Columbus Crew last week.
They resume their MLS campaign in a strong position, though, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and holding an eight-point cushion to the play-in spots.
Cushing does not expect City's Leagues Cup exit to affect them in the run-in, saying: "I said at the start of the season, when we started slowly, that my confidence in the group is sky-high and always has been.
"We fell below our standards last season, but I said then that tough times make top teams.
"If you have guys with a work ethic as high as ours is, you'll learn from your experiences. I have sky-high belief in this group of guys.
"This team has the capability, but it's about how you move forward, it's about the character to take the knocks and move forward."
Chicago, on the other hand, resume their campaign in 14th place, though the congested nature of the Eastern standings means they are only three points off a play-in place.
Head coach Frank Klopas has been grateful for the chance to work with his players on the training ground, with their own Leagues Cup campaign ending in the group stage three weeks ago.
"Putting all pressure and expectations aside, I think we need to be prepared, which we are, and this break has given us an opportunity to really work on that and also the little details," Klopas said.
"I think we need to go and play the game, not to overthink things, and be focused and organised without the ball."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York City – Santiago Rodriguez
Thirteen (seven goals, six assists) of Rodriguez's 16 regular-season goal contributions for New York City in 2024 have come at home.
Rodriguez has been involved in seven goals in his last five home league matches (three goals, four assists).
Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers
Cuypers has recorded a team-high 11 goal contributions in regular-season play for the Fire this year (nine goals, two assists).
The only player since 2021 with more than 11 goal contributions in a season for Chicago was Xherdan Shaqiri (18) in 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK CITY WIN
New York City have won eight straight regular-season matches against Chicago, tied for the second-longest active home winning streak by one team over another in MLS.
It is also NYCFC's longest home winning run against a particular team in MLS, though they have drawn six of their last eight games in all competitions (one win, one loss).
However, a Chicago team that has lost their last three games in all competitions should not present much of a threat. This is the Fire's 10th losing streak of three or more matches since the start of the 2020 season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York City – 61%
Chicago Fire – 18.5%
Draw – 20.5%
Gerhard Stuber's side looked to absorb pressure for the majority of the match and captain Aaron Long put them ahead in the 53rd minute, heading in at the back post after a finely worked corner routine.
Choice became necessity after a VAR review that forced Sean Nealis off in the 73rd minute, but they were able to hold out against a Sporting KC that failed to penetrate in possession.
The win makes for the first time NYRB have managed consecutive wins in the MLS since April, also putting them on 32 points, now two points clear of Philadelphia Union.
The Union were in a similarly dour contest, generating only two shots in the penalty area from open play in a goal-less draw away to Columbus Crew.
The Crew had an opportunity to take the lead in the 19th minute, only for Andre Blake to save Pedro Santos' penalty.
New Yoirk City are a further point back on 29 points, after they played out a 2-2 draw at home to Atlanta United, while the New England Revolution and Cincinnati also managed a 2-2 draw.
In the Western Conference meanwhile, Real Salt Lake critically slipped up in a chance to make up ground following LAFC's loss on Saturday, going down 3-2 to Minnesota United.
RSL were down 3-0 at one stage until Jefferson Savarino inspired a dramatic late fightback, scoring and assisting for substitute Anderson Julio within a five-minute span.
It was not enough however, with LAFC maintaining a five-point gap to second-placed Austin FC.
Elsewhere in the West, Nashville and Portland Timbers played out a 2-2 draw, while Houston Dynamo lost 2-1 at home to Charlotte FC.
In Sunday's final game, the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Chicago Fire 2-1 via Benjamin Kikanovic's brace, with his first coming after the Quakes extraordinarily hit the frame of the goal twice in the same passage.
City had ended a three-game losing run with a 2-0 win at Chicago Fire 10 days before losing to Orlando City on the weekend but their poor form continued at Red Bull Arena.
Ola Kamara tapped in from point blank range to give the visitors at 24th-minute lead, but Heber side-footed in an equalizer three minutes later.
Steven Birnbaum restored United's lead with a header from a Martin Rodriguez free-kick in the 57th minute and City could not find a response with David Ochoa palming away Gedion Zelalem's 95th-minute effort.
The win is Wayne Rooney's second since taking over at United who are still last in the Eastern Conference, while it sees City slide down to fourth in the east.
Riqui Puig scored a spectacular late equalizer with a long-range curler after a give-and-go to earn LA Galaxy a 2-2 draw away to Toronto.
Douglas Costa had put the Galaxy into a 24th-minute lead before Toronto hit back with second-half goals to Jesus Jimenez and Filippo Bernardeschi before the Spaniard's 89th-minute strike.
Riqui Puig was making only his third appearance for the Galaxy following his August move from Barcelona.
The result dents star-studded Toronto's playoffs aspirations, leaving them 10th in the east, while the Galaxy are eighth in the west.
Philadelphia Union became the second team behind LAFC to book their postseason berth with a 4-1 home win over Atlanta United.
Julian Carranza, Mikael Uhre, Daniel Gazdag and Nathan Harriel were all among the goals for Union who are eight points clear in the east.
New York Red Bulls moved up to third in the east with a 1-0 win at second-placed Montreal with Lewis Morgan hitting the winner in the 43rd minute.
LAFC suffered a shock 2-1 loss to lowly Houston Dynamo, who condemning the Western Conference leaders to their third straight defeat.
Inter Miami slumped to back-to-back losses with a 1-0 defeat at Columbus Crew, while New England's winless run extended to four games after a goalless draw with struggling Chicago Fire who snapped a three-game losing run.
Hany Mukhtar netted a hat-trick as Nashville beat Colorado Rapids 4-1, while Orlando City came from two goals down to defeat Seattle Sounders 3-2.
Real Salt Lake proved too good for Minnesota United 3-0 and Portland Timbers moved into the west's top seven with a narrow win against second-placed Austin 2-1.
City had ended a three-game losing run with a 2-0 win at Chicago Fire 10 days before losing to Orlando City on the weekend but their poor form continued at Red Bull Arena.
Ola Kamara tapped in from point blank range to give the visitors at 24th-minute lead, but Heber side-footed in an equalizer three minutes later.
Steven Birnbaum restored United's lead with a header from a Martin Rodriguez free-kick in the 57th minute and City could not find a response with David Ochoa palming away Gedion Zelalem's 95th-minute effort.
The win is Wayne Rooney's second since taking over at United who are still last in the Eastern Conference, while it sees City slide down to fourth in the east.
Riqui Puig scored a spectacular late equalizer with a long-range curler after a give-and-go to earn LA Galaxy a 2-2 draw away to Toronto.
Douglas Costa had put the Galaxy into a 24th-minute lead before Toronto hit back with second-half goals to Jesus Jimenez and Filippo Bernardeschi before the Spaniard's 89th-minute strike.
Riqui Puig was making only his third appearance for the Galaxy following his August move from Barcelona.
The result dents star-studded Toronto's playoffs aspirations, leaving them 10th in the east, while the Galaxy are eighth in the west.
Philadelphia Union became the second team behind LAFC to book their postseason berth with a 4-1 home win over Atlanta United.
Julian Carranza, Mikael Uhre, Daniel Gazdag and Nathan Harriel were all among the goals for Union who are eight points clear in the east.
New York Red Bulls moved up to third in the east with a 1-0 win at second-placed Montreal with Lewis Morgan hitting the winner in the 43rd minute.
LAFC suffered a shock 2-1 loss to lowly Houston Dynamo, who condemning the Western Conference leaders to their third straight defeat.
Inter Miami slumped to back-to-back losses with a 1-0 defeat at Columbus Crew, while New England's winless run extended to four games after a goalless draw with struggling Chicago Fire who snapped a three-game losing run.
Hany Mukhtar netted a hat-trick as Nashville beat Colorado Rapids 4-1, while Orlando City came from two goals down to defeat Seattle Sounders 3-2.
Real Salt Lake proved too good for Minnesota United 3-0 and Portland Timbers moved into the west's top seven with a narrow win against second-placed Austin 2-1.
The Fire are level on points with their hosts heading into the game on Saturday but sit above them due to their superior goal difference.
Chicago are currently on a four-match unbeaten streak, winning each of their last two matches, with Klopas praising his players for finding their attacking groove in recent weeks.
"Going to Orlando, especially in this heat, we have to be good on the ball, it's so important, and we've worked hard on that," Klopas said. "The team is in a good moment, and they're also working extremely hard and that's very important to me.
"We've been dangerous in games when we work as a unit and quickly transition.
"It's been a big focus of ours from the beginning of the season to get more opportunities, and we've done a much better job with that, and we're showing our ability to finish chances."
Orlando are in 14th but will leapfrog their opponents with a win. However, they will need to snap a five-match winless streak in order to do that.
Head coach Oscar Pareja was once again left to lament late lapses of concentration in their 2-2 draw with Charlotte FC and is hoping to improve that against the Fire.
"It has happened in recent games where we dominate possession that we concede late goals," the head coach said.
"I think our vigilance is getting better, but [against Charlotte] we lost two duels, and they found a way to hurt us. We need to get better about controlling possession."
PLAYER TO WATCH
Orlando City – Facundo Torres
Torres, who scored Orlando's equalizer on Wednesday against Charlotte, has scored four goals in five career MLS matches against the Fire, tied for his most against any opponent (also four vs the New York Red Bulls).
Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers
Cuypers has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last four appearances for the Fire, the first player to do so for the club since Robert Beric in 2020 (five straight).
Chicago has posted a record of W3 D3 L1 in matches in which Cuypers has been involved in a goal this season and W1 D3 L7 when he has not.
MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN
Orlando are unbeaten in six straight matches against the Fire (W4 D2), though Chicago did manage a home draw when the sides met on May 29. The Lions have just one longer regular-season unbeaten run against a single opponent, going eight straight without defeat vs. Toronto FC from 2019-23.
However, Orlando have lost four of their last five home matches, including each of the last two. They had suffered just one defeat in their previous 16 regular-season home matches (W9 D6) before this run.
Meanwhile, Chicago have recorded back-to-back wins after winning just two of their first 16 matches this season (D6 L8). The Fire have netted six times over the two wins after scoring six total goals in their previous 11 games.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Orlando City – 54%
Draw – 23.6%
Chicago Fire – 22.4%
