The Chicago Fire defeated D.C. United 2-0 tonight in front of 18,605 fans at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Fire midfielder Justin Mapp tallied the game-winning goal in the 38th minute, with Cuauhtémoc Blanco notching an insurance goal in the 62nd minute. Fire goalkeeper Jon Bush recorded his fourth shutout of the season.
• Justin Mapp scored the game-winning goal in the 38th minute, with assists credited to Chris Rolfe and Chad Barrett. Rolfe crossed a ball from the far right side of the field to Chad Barrett just off the opposite left post. Barrett redirected the ball to Mapp for the shot from the middle of the box. The goal is Mapp's first of the 2008 season. The Mississippi native last scored on Aug. 30, 2006 against the Houston Dynamo.
• Cuauhtémoc Blanco tallied the Fire's second goal, his third goal of the season. Blanco collected a free kick 35 yards out, evaded two D.C. defenders on the left side of the box, and placed a ball into the upper right corner of the net.
• With a record of 5-1-1, 16 pts., the Fire move past the Columbus Crew, 15 pts., into first place in the Eastern Conference Standings and in the overall MLS Standings.
• Goalkeeper Jon Busch posted his league leading fourth shutout of the season. Busch is also the league leader with a GAA of 0.43.
• With three assists, Barrett ranks third in the league standings for assists. He is tied with five other players.
• The Fire now lead the all-time regular season series against D.C. with a record of 13-12-7.
• Today's attendance at RFK Stadium was 18,605.
• Head Coach Denis Hamlett stayed with the same starting lineup that defeated the New England Revolution 3-0 in the Fire's last game, on May 3. Hamlett utilized the same three players off the bench as well.
• Busch, Pause, and Blanco have played every minute (630 minutes) for the Fire this season.
• Chicago Fire head coach Denis Hamlett on the game: "We are very pleased with the result tonight. Any time you play in D.C., you know it is going to be a tough game. We handled their pressure well early, were able to put together some good plays, and in the end, coming out of D.C. with points is a big plus."
• Chicago Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch, on his fourth shutout win: "All the credit goes to the guys on the field. From the defenders to the midfielders to the forwards. Those are the guys doing all of the dirty work and making my job easy."
• The Chicago Fire will return to the action on Saturday, May 17, as the team takes on the 2007 MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo at TOYOTA PARK (7:30 CT, My50).
