Recap: Chicago vs. Chivas USA

By Sports Network

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Chivas USA forward Eduardo Lillingston snapped a perfect header into the netting for the only goal in his team's Major League Soccer match at the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.

Unfortunately for Chivas USA, it was a Chicago corner kick and it was the Chivas USA netting.

The Fire (11-7-12) were the first MLS team to close out their regular season schedule when they earned the 1-0 victory over the Goats, clinching a playoff spot in the process.

Chicago is the sixth team to clinch a spot in the playoffs and will be the second-seeded club out of the Eastern bracket. The weekend MLS fixtures still see six teams alive for the final two playoff spots.

The Fire took the lead after a Cuauhtemoc Blanco corner kick in the 67th minute on the cold, wet and windy night. He drove the chance low and hard into the six-yard box where Lillingston skied in an attempt to clear. But the ball hit his head and deflected right into the back of his team's net for the own goal.

Chivas USA (13-10-6) still has a shot at the Western Conference crown, but need to win when it hosts the Houston Dynamo on Sunday. Both teams are tied atop the table, along with Los Angeles, with 45 points after 29 games.

Also, as a result of the Chivas USA loss, the Columbus Crew clinched their second straight Supporters' Shield and the top overall seed in the MLS Cup playoffs.