Sinama-Pongolle scores late, Fire top Dynamo 2-1

BRIDGEVIEW - Florent Sinama-Pongolle scored in the first minute of stoppage time to help Chicago beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1 on Friday night to end the Fire's eight-game winless streak.

Sinama-Pongolle headed home Grant Ward's cross and immediately ran over to the Chicago bench to hug Logan Pause, who is retiring after a 12-year career with the Fire.

Houston (11-17-6) opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Omar Cummings headed in Brad Davis' corner kick.

Chicago's Jeff Larentowicz converted a penalty kick in the 66th minute after Ward was tripped inside the penalty area by goalkeeper Tyler Deric.

Goalkeeper Sean Johnson kept Chicago (6-10-18) in the match with three athletic saves in the 34th and 35th minutes.

It was Dominic Kinnear's final game as coach of the Dynamo after nine seasons. He will be the coach of the San Jose Earthquakes next season.