The one thing the Chicago Fire prided itself on just four games into the season was team defense. Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park the Fire's backline broke down -- well, for just one goal. But one goal was all it took as the Kansas City Wizards topped the Fire 1-0 at Toyota Park.
Just four minutes in, Kansas City became the first opposing team to actually score on the Fire. Wizards midfielder Claudio Lopez found Jack Jewsbury on the left side of the goal. Jewsbury reached the ball ahead of Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch and sent a high ball soaring into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The Fire had allowed just one goal in their first three games, and that an own goal, which came in Chicago's season-opening 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake.
Chicago had its share of chances in the first half, 10 to be exact. In the 18th minute, the Fire's Justin Mapp rocketed a shot toward goal. It deflected off Kansas City defender Jimmy Conrad and onto the top of the net.
The Fire had a good chance in the 33rd minute when forward Chad Barrett found himself directly in front of Hartman. Hartman made a kick save on Barrett's shot, then saw a rebound attempt by midfielder John Thorrington from the right side bounce off a Wizards player.
In the 38th and 39th minutes, Cuauhtemoc Blanco missed on back-to-back chances. Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman blocked the first shot. The second one, a freekick from the left side of the box, Blanco sent right on target. Hartman tipped it over the top of the goal.
The Fire's best chance came one minute later. Defender Gonzalo Segares made a run toward goal and crossed a perfect ball to Barrett on the right side of the net. With Hartman on the left side of the box, Barrett had an open net -- but he sent the ball high.
The drama continued for the Fire in the second half as the team could not find the net. In the 53rd minute, the Fire put together a tremendous combination as Barrett sent a through ball to Frankowski to his left inside the six. But Frankowski's shot went right at Hartman and bounced out to the goalkeeper's right. The ball landed at Mapp's foot and he squared the ball to Blanco, whose shot bounced off Hartman and a K.C. defender and settled on the goal line before being cleared away.
Andy Herron, who entered the game in the 64th minute, attempted to get things going one minute later as he took off for a one-on-one challenge with Hartman. Hartman stopped the ball, but the play was called offside.
Despite four minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game, the Fire failed to convert, despite a late Calen Carr shot. Hartman and the Wizards defense held the Fire scoreless for the first time of the season.
The Fire took 19 shots. Hartman had five saves. The majority of the shots were deflected by an active Wizards defense.
The one goal proved to be enough as Chicago dropped its first match of the year. The win marks just the second time Kansas City has ever won in Chicago, with a 2-13-1 record. The Wizards move into first place in the Eastern Conference, while the Fire fell to third.
Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
