Columbus Crew beat Chicago Fire to go second in MLS Eastern Conference

Columbus Crew earned their second win in four days over Chicago Fire with a 3-1 victory on Sunday that lifted them to second in the MLS Eastern Conference.

In the day's only Major League Soccer fixture, Federico Higuain's second-minute penalty gave Columbus the lead but Chicago replied seven minutes later when David Accam's free-kick took a deflection off the wall and ended up in the net.

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Kei Kamara restored Crew's lead in the 17th minute, heading home a cross from Waylon Francis for his league-leading 14th goal, and any Chicago hope of a comeback died early in the second half when forward Jason Johnson was deemed to have gone down too easily in the box and received a second yellow card.

Columbus dominated possession from there and put the game out of reach seven minutes from time when Kristinn Steindorsson flicked a Chad Barson cross through the Chicago penalty box for Ethan Finlay to score into an empty net.

Columbus, who also beat Chicago 1-0 on Wednesday, are second in the East on 30 points and trail leaders DC United by five. Chicago remain bottom of the conference with 18 points.

Watch live MLS football on Sky Sports 5 HD this Sunday. New York City host Orlando City (7.35pm), followed by DC United v Philadelphia Union (10pm).