Jairo Arrieta double inspires DC United comeback

DC United established a seven-point lead at the summit of the MLS Eastern Conference with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Chicago Fire in Washington this morning.

Jairo Arrieta grabbed two second-half goals as Ben Olsen's men moved seven clear of New England Revolution, who have a game in hand.

Despite leading the division, United found themselves under pressure early on as goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra pushed Harry Shipp's effort wide of the post after five minutes.

The pressure continued and David Accam should have opened the scoring midway through the half when he slid his shot narrowly wide from a fine position.

Steve Birnbaum's handball inside the box on 26 minutes handed Jeff Larentowicz the opportunity to fire Chicago into a deserved lead, but Dykstra denied him from 12 yards.

Larentowicz's blushes were spared almost immediately, however, as Quincy Amarikwa's teasing cross was tapped home by Accam two minutes later to give the visitors a half-time lead.

It was not until the hour mark that Olsen's side began playing like a team top of the table, and Arrieta nodded home from a corner to level matters.

The Costa Rican forward struck again on 68 minutes via a wicked deflection, before Conor Doyle completed the scoring by converting a low cross in the final quarter.