CHICAGO (AP) -- David Hayes, Jesse Marsch and Dema Kovalenko scored as the Chicago Fire beat the New York/New Jersey MetroStars 3-1 Saturday night.

The Central Division-leading Fire improved to 5-1-2 at Soldier Field. Chicago has won 21 of its past 24 home matches.

The loss extended the MetroStars' road winless streak to seven games (0-5-2).

Hayes scored in the third minute -- the earliest Chicago goal of the season -- beating goalkeeper Tim Howard from 13 yards.

Marsch accepted a pass from Sergi Daniv, then fired a low kick that deflected off defender Billy Walsh and into the net, giving the Fire a 2-0 lead in the 19th minute.

Marsch and Daniv set up Kovalenko for his sixth goal of the season in the 38th minute.

Zach Thornton's bid for his sixth shutout of the season was spoiled by Billy Walsh in the 83rd minute. A free kick by Daniel Hernandez from 40 yards sailed past three defenders. A sprinting Walsh beat Thornton for his first goal of the season.

The announced attendance was 15,274.