Houston Dynamo left it late against the Chicago Fire but recorded a 2-1 win in the MLS to extend their unbeaten home record to a league record 35 matches.
Giles Barnes missed a pair of headers from close range early on as Houston shaded possession and territory in the early going.
Houston's pressure told as they took the lead on 26 minutes when Will Bruin turned home a precise cross from Brad Davis.
Chiacago responded well and equalised just three minutes later through Chris Rolfe, who sent a shot high into the top corner after meeting a pass from Dan Paladini.
Bobby Boswell, Maicon Santos and Wells Thompson all went close late on but both sides struggled to fine the crucial winning goal.
Nine minutes from time Houston made the decisive breakthrough as strike from distance by Davis squirmed into the bottom right corner.
