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Crayton Helps United Get Back on Track
Chicago's Cuauhtémoc Blanco, on ground, tackles D.C.'s Dan Stratford. Fred's goal helped United snap the Fire's seven-game unbeaten string.
(By Nam Y. Huh -- Associated Press)
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Crayton preserved the lead with a sensational save in the 44th minute, diving to his right to touch Chris Rolfe's rocket just wide of the post.
"I got my hand on it and when I turned, I saw it was very close to the post," Crayton said.
The Fire bolstered its attack at halftime by inserting new arrival Brian McBride, a three-time U.S. World Cup participant whose Chicago debut had been delayed by Olympic duty. McBride, 36, grew up in this area and started his pro career in earnest with the Columbus Crew 12 years ago. He spent five seasons with English club Fulham before re-signing with MLS this summer.
McBride's appearance energized the crowd, but United continued to attack confidently and somewhat effectively. One-touch combination work between Fred, Moreno and Santino Quaranta freed Fred at the top of the box, but his low shot hit the inside of the right post.
Crayton was dangerously unassertive on a couple of passes into the box, but recovered in time. He also watched Andy Herron's clear shot on the run from 21 yards miss badly and Blanco curl an 18-yarder off the crossbar in the 64th minute.
United found itself under increasing pressure the final 10 minutes, but Chicago was unable to make solid contact inside the penalty area. In injury time, Crayton fumbled a high ball, but McBride's attempt was cleared off the goal line by Devon McTavish.
"We were committed to defending," Soehn said. "We were organized, we killed [passing] channels, we won balls -- everybody was committed to winning a 1-0 game."
United Notes: Defender Gonzalo Martínez received a yellow card, meaning he will miss Wednesday's game at New England for an accumulation of warnings. . . . Defender Gonzalo Peralta (hamstring injury) and midfielder Marcelo Gallardo (sports hernia surgery) did not make the trip.
