MLS Review: Fire and Timbers close in on top spot

Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers closed in on top spot in their respective MLS conferences with victories on Saturday.

High-flying Chicago defeated Atlanta United 2-0, while Portland beat FC Dallas by the same scoreline.

Riding a six-game unbeaten streak, the Fire extended that run thanks to Luis Solignac and Nemanja Nikolic at Toyota Park.

After Hector Villalba came close to opening the scoring for Atlanta, Solignac broke the deadlock just shy of the half-hour mark.

There’s the opening goal! @ChicagoFire takes the 1-0 lead.

Watch the match live: https://t.co/Lo7U5AcdF6 #CHIvATL https://t.co/wY2qaU1qYU

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 10, 2017

David Accam showed great composure as he rounded the goalkeeper and teed up Solignac, who side-footed home.

The league’s leading scorer – Nikolic – then took his tally to 12 for the season courtesy of a 70th-minute penalty after Tyrone Mears handled the ball in the area.

Just like that, it’s 2-0! @ChicagoFire converts the PK.

20 minutes left to go: https://t.co/Lo7U5AcdF6 #CHIvATL https://t.co/iFOTUhLall

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 10, 2017

With a sixth successive home victory, second-placed Chicago moved within a point of Eastern Conference leaders Toronto FC.

Portland are two points adrift in the west thanks to Fanendo Adi’s brace at home to Dallas.

42 days between goals 6 & 7.

40 minutes between goals 7 & 8. pic.twitter.com/fPKidkeJ32

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 11, 2017

Adi scored in either half at Providence Park as the Timbers recorded back-to-back wins in MLS.

The Timbers – with a game in hand – are within touching distance of Sporting Kanas City, who were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Montreal Impact.