On the surface, there wasn’t much separating D.C. United and the Chicago Fire heading into their match at RFK Stadium last night. Both teams had scored and allowed the exact same number of goals — 20 for, 17 against. Both held large margins in the way they score, namely, from the run of play — United had scored 70% of goals in open play, the Fire, 65%. United had not lost at home, while Chicago boasted a spotless record on the road.

But as even as they appeared on the stat sheets, Chicago held something that D.C. desperately wanted — first place. Fortunately, D.C. had a few things Chicago didn’t — a goalie on fire, Christian Gomez, and a cooler collective.

After last night, they took back top billing in the East using said advantages in a thoroughly enjoyable 2-1 victory in front of a season-high 18,369 screaming fans.

“It was a hard fought game, first place is on the line,” said Santino Quaranta. “You’d hope that they’d come at you and we’d respond, and I thought that’s what we did.”

United, now with two wins on the bounce, handed the Fire their third straight loss — after the Chicagoans had began the year with on an 11-game unbeaten streak.

Coach Tom Soehn had praise for the now-reeling Midwesterners. “I have to compliment Chicago. There’s too many times when teams try to pack it in, and they did a great job, they came at us. As a fan, you watched the game, and it had everything.”