and stay a point ahead of the defending MLS champions -- after playing to a scoreless draw with the Columbus Crew. But they were joined by Toronto FC, who came away from San Jose with a 3-1 win against the Earthquakes to kick off a road-heavy second half of the season.
In the West, Seattle Sounders FC won the first of a trio of meetings in a short span with the MLS overall leader Houston Dynamo, coming back for a 2-1 victory at home to move within striking distance of the top of the division.
The Los Angeles Galaxy and Colorado Rapids each also kept pace, with 1-0 victories against Chivas USA and FC Dallas respectively. The New England Revolution and Kansas City Wizards kicked off the round with a scoreless draw.
At Toyota Park, the Fire were coming a victory against the Colorado Rapids that put an end to a three-game losing skid in league play, while the Crew had continued their long streak of home success despite being held to a 1-1 draw with Eastern Conference co-leaders D.C. United the week before.
The teams combined for 30 attempts at goal on the night and Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer was forced into 11 saves on the night -- a season-high -- but neither team could break through. Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch was credited with four saves.
The Crew did find a way past Busch late in the match when substitute Steven Lenhart put the ball into the back of the net, but the flag was up for offside.
At Buck Shaw Stadium, the Earthquakes were back home after a heartbreaking own goal in stoppage time left them in a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake the week before, while Toronto FC were returning to action after a weekend off, back-to-back wins against New York coming to an end with a loss at Real Salt Lake as well.
It took the visitors just five minutes to open the scoring. Dwayne De Rosario collected a throw-in, held off a defender and hooked the ball over his head to Chad Barrett. Barrett then lashed a first-time drive inside the left post.
The Earthquakes drew even in the 32nd minute. A long ball behind the TFC defense sent Ryan Johnson into the area, and after he held up and drew three defenders to him, he laid the ball back for Darren Huckerby to side-foot home unmarked for his second goal in four weeks.
But the Reds took control of the game with two goals in 15 minutes. First, in the 54th minute, a free kick wasn't cleared and eventually sailed high into the air. Nana Attakora headed goalward to Pablo Vitti, and his backward flick sailed over Joe Cannon for his second goal in three weeks.
Then Barrett completed his double. Running onto a long ball from De Rosario, Barrett was left to walk in all alone after San Jose defender Aaron Pitchkolan went down with an injury. Barrett rounded Cannon at the edge of the area and strolled in to touch the ball home for his fourth goal of the season, the goals his first since May 2.
At Qwest Field, Sounders FC were unbeaten in four games and had just one loss since mid-April, while the Dynamo defeated Kansas City in their last match after seeing a club-record 11-game undefeated run come to an end at the LA Galaxy the week before.
The Dynamo opened the scoring just 12 minutes into the match. Keeping the ball alive on the right flank, Dominic Oduro slipped it into the area, where it reached Brian Mullan. Mullan then held off a defender before laying it back for Brad Davis, who stroked home a left-footer for his third goal on the campaign.
Sounders FC pulled level in the 32nd minute. An early cross from Nate Jaqua on the right flank found Fredy Montero in the area, and after he brought the ball down with his chest, he looped it over goalkeeper Pat Onstad. Dynamo defender Mike Chabala appeared to have cleared the ball off the line, but linesman Emiliano Monje indicated to referee Mark Geiger the ball crossed the line and the goal was given.
Seattle then second the winner seconds into the second half. A corner kick was put in from the right by Freddie Ljungberg and nodded toward goal by Jhon Kennedy Hurtado. Patrick Ianni alertly saw it bounce and threw himself backwards, hooking a bicycle kick past Kasey Keller and inside the far post for his second career MLS goal and the game-winner.
Houston had its MLS record streak of 28 matches without a loss when scoring first come to an end.
At The Home Depot Center, Chivas USA were coming into the second SuperClasico of the year in their first league match in nearly a month, having lost their last two June 10-14. The LA Galaxy had won back-to-back games, both by 1-0 scorelines, their first consecutive victories of the season.
After a scoreless draw in the first meeting, the game's lone goal came at the half-hour mark. Mike Magee knocked the ball wide to A.J. DeLaGarza, and the rookie defender swung a cross into the center of the area for Edson Buddle to powerfully head home, his second goal on the season.
At Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the Rapids and FC Dallas were meeting for the second time in 18 days, after a late Colorado equalizer left the teams in a 1-1 draw June 24 in Commerce City. The Rapids had since lost back-to-back games; FC Dallas had two wins in their last three.
The game's lone goal came in the 79th minute. Kosuke Kimura advanced forward on the right and played the ball into Mehdi Ballouchy. Ballouchy held up the ball then laid a return pass into the area for Kimura, who hammered a rising blast over goalkeeper Ray Burse and inside the left post for first career league goal.
At Gillette Stadium, the Revolution and Wizards were meeting for the third time in less than a month, Kansas City having taken a 3-1 win in MLS play on June 13, and the teams playing to a 1-1 draw in SuperLiga. The Revolution were coming off back-to-back league losses; the Wizards had just that one win in their last five.
Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis made a career-high 11 saves to ensure the teams would share the points. The Wizards held out for the last nine minutes after defender Lance Watson was shown a straight red card by referee Baldomero Toledo.
