With their 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City, the Chicago Fire have won three straight matches and are scorching up the MLS standings.

Friday night’s victory puts the Fire within three points of both the New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls. Both teams have matches tonight against Seattle Sounders FC and Toronto FC. A loss by both or either team would help the Fire tremendously.

Midfielder Marco Pappa tied striker Dominic Oduro for the most goals this season for the Fire with his goal against Sporting Kansas City. Pappa’s goal was assisted by Chris Rolfe.

They were not the only players who were stellar in Friday night’s win as goalkeeper Sean Johnson finished the game with five saves, giving him 13 for the entire week.

It has been a very successful week for the Fire who on Sunday defeated their hated rival, the Columbus Crew.

After the win over the Crew, I asked Pappa if there was a friendly competition between he and Oduro for most goals scored. Not only was I received with a laugh but I was given a friendly reminder; the Fire is all about team. “It is not a competition… We are trying to score for the team… The competition is a different kind of competition not only for Dominic and I but for everyone in this locker room.”

That was a great choice of words from one of the Fire’s star players. They were words that should put the rest of the MLS on notice about the team’s long-term goals.

Teams win games because of the totality of a team effort. The Chicago Fire exudes that which defines a total team effort.

Ernest Shepard is an analyst for the Bleacher Report. All quotes were acquired first-hand.

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