CHICAGO (AP) -- Dema Kovalenko scored two goals in the first half Sunday to give the Chicago Fire a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids and the lead in the Central Division.

The victory enabled the Fire to equal the 51 points of the Tampa Bay Mutiny for playoff positioning, but Chicago has the advantage with a better record in head-to-head play.

Colorado scored first on Ross Paule's goal in the seventh minute on a pass from forward Matt Okoh.

Kovalenko evened the score in the 26th minute and notched his second game-winner of the season in the 32nd minute. He took a pass from midfielder Jesse Marsch at the center line and dribbled in for the score.