(Sports Network) - Justin Mapp and Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored and Jon Busch posted his fourth shutout as the Chicago Fire beat D.C. United, 2-0, in Major League Soccer on Thursday night. Chicago improved to 3-0-1 on the road and took over first place in the Eastern Conference. The Fire (5-1-1) have allowed just three goals through seven games and only one in four road matches.

D.C. United (2-5-0) continued to struggle and is last in the East, 10 points behind Chicago.

Mapp put Chicago in front in the 38th minute when Chad Barrett and Chris Rolfe set him up. Rolfe crossed from the right side to Rolfe, who headed the ball to Mapp.

The ball took a few quick bounces in the penalty area and Mapp shot perfectly into the left side of the net. It was his first goal since the 2006 season.

D.C. United goalie Zach Wells made two huge saves early in the second half on consecutive shots by Barrett, but Chicago eventually extended its lead to two goals on Blanco's blast in the 62nd minute.

The Mexican icon made a run down the middle of the field and unleashed a shot from 25 yards that dipped over Wells and under the crossbar. It was Blanco's third goal this season.

United, which was without designated player Marcelo Gallardo, failed to create any scoring chances until the final five minutes. Veteran forward Jaime Moreno headed off the crossbar and Clyde Simms fired just wide.

Busch made only two saves for his league-leading fourth shutout.

Game notes: United wore new jerseys with a Volkswagen logo on the front. D.C. signed a sponsorship agreement with the company earlier this week. ... Chicago extended a season-long unbeaten streak for the team scoring first. Teams with the first goal in MLS games this season are now 33-0-7.



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