CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Roman Kosecki had a goal and an assist 11 minutes apart midway through the first half to lead the Chicago Fire to a 2-1 home win over the New England Revolution.

Kosecki and his Polish countrymen, Jerzy Podbrozny and Peter Nowak, combined for one goal, three assists and several offensive opportunities as the defending MLS champion Fire (14-11, 40 points) continued their chase of Colorado and Los Angeles in the Western Conference.

Kosecki opened the scoring in the 27th minute, posting up New England defender Dan Calichman and accepting an entry pass from Frank Klopas before blasting the ball home from seven yards.

The Fire created numerous scoring chances throughout the contrst. They were denied by the woodwork twice in the opening 10 minutes and forced New England goalkeeper Walter Zenga to make several key saves.

In the 38th minute, Kosecki earned an assist on Chicago's second goal on a give and-go with Nowak, who received the ball back from Kosecki about 12 yards from goal and one-timed a shot that deflected off a Revolution defender.

New England's Mike Burns provided a tense final 17 minutes after his 25-yard blast beat Chicago 'keeper Zach Thornton. After receiving the ball from John Harkes, Burns dribbled up the flank and scored his first goal of the season and only the third of his four-year MLS career.

New England (9-16, 19 points) has gained just one point in its last nine games and missed another opportunity to move closer to fourth-place Miami in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. However, the Revolution play five of their remaining seven games at home.