The return of captain Chris Armas to full-time duty and the first start for Andy Herron sparked the Fire to a 2-0 victory Saturday night over New England at Soldier Field.
The two combined for the first goal in a win that gave the Fire a five-point cushion over the Revolution for the fourth and final playoff spot for Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.
Nate Jaqua started the scoring sequence from the near sideline at midfield with a pass to Armas.
The midfielder led a 2-on-1 attack and carried to about 20 yards from the net.
When the defender committed to him, Armas passed to Herron, who finished from 10 yards out into an open net in the seventh minute.
Herron added another goal in the 77th minute to complete the scoring.
With three regular-season games left, the Fire enhanced its chance for a third-place finish. The team stands one point behind D.C. United, which lost 1-0 Saturday at Columbus.
Armas made his first start since Aug. 21. The 32-year-old midfielder had arthoroscopic surgery Sept. 1 to repair scar tissue in his right knee. Armas got his first taste of action Wednesday in the waning minutes of the Fire’s 1-0 overtime loss at Kansas City in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.
General manager Peter Wilt acquired Herron as a discovery player Aug. 31. The 26-year-old is on loan from his Costa Rican team, Club Sport Herediano.
New England only had two shots on goal in the first half but made Fire goaltender Henry Ring come up big. He charged out 12 yards to stop a breakaway from forward Richie Baker in the second minute.
In the second half the Revolution kept the pressure on. Ring came up with another crucial save when the Fire coughed up a ball in the box.
Armas got a yellow card in the 55th minute so he must sit out the Columbus game Oct. 2.
