Chicago became the first MLS team to finish the regular season and it did so by receiving a gift goal. The Fire also became the sixth team to clinch a post-season berth, leaving six teams battling for two remaining spots.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco took a corner kick for Chicago and sent a low ball into the box, where Lillingston made a clearing attempt. He leaped high in a bid to send a header out of danger, but he wound up driving the ball into the net.
Chivas USA, which had already clinched a post-season berth, shares the lead in the Western Conference with Houston. Those two teams meet Sunday.
The outcome Thursday also meant that Columbus will finish with the league's best regular-season record and will be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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