they fought even when we were down a man," Soehn said. "It is a great victory for us and we want to keep building on what we have. The team is getting better, and everyone is taking on their roles a little more."
TEAM NEWS
• For United, it was their first victory on the road - in any competition - since Sept. 1, 2007, a 4-0 victory at FC Dallas. That span covered 13 games in all in league, MLS Cup playoffs and international competitions.
• "It shows we have a lot of heart and character," said Jaime Moreno. "We are happy with the three points, but we know there is a lot of play out there. The hardest thing is to maintain the same level. That is what we are going to work at, having the same attitude."
• It was also important as United now face an extended stretch of games at RFK Stadium. Their next four league matches will all be on East Capitol Street; as well, they will have three home matches in the SuperLiga competition. Their next away league match is Aug. 10, at New York.
• United have two victories and a draw in their last two matches, and the modest unbeaten streak coincides with Emilio's turn of form. After scoring in the second game of the season, then going seven games without a goal, the 2007 MLS Golden Boot winner has scored in each of his last three games, including the winner against Chicago.
• "I said all along with Luci, you don't want to be the first one he scores on, because he is going to start putting them in regularly," Soehn said.
• The Fire had allowed just six goals on the season before the match, including a shutout of United at RFK Stadium. As well, after going the entire season without a red card, United had received two in the second half in Bridgeview.
• "I wouldn't want him running at me," Soehn said of Emilio. "I know he had two defenders on him, but you could see what his intentions were: He was going to get a shot off, and a good shot it was." Said Emilio: "They left a lot of space for us, and I thought I could go through and shoot. I had the confidence to do it."
NEW YORK RED BULLS
The New York Red Bulls put an end to their three-match winless run, defeating Chivas USA by the game's only goal on MLS Primetime Thursday at Giants Stadium. The Red Bulls remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 15 points from 10 matches, two behind Toronto FC and two ahead of D.C. United.
LAST MATCH
• The big prematch buzz concerned the transfer of striker Jozy Altidore to Villarreal CF of Spain's La Liga. The Red Bulls were coming off back-to-back losses, to Chicago and Houston, while Chivas USA had put together three wins in a row after a five-game winless run.
• Both teams had really canceled each other out until the 75th minute. Dane Richards, whose pace down the right flank was one of the Red Bulls' lone effective threats going forward, found space on the right side of the box and sent an effective cross just inside the penalty spot and Juan Pablo Angel was unmarked as he headed home his second goal on the season.
• Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio made two changes to the team that lost 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo the previous weekend. Dave van den Bergh came back into central midfield, for Luke Sassano, and Mike Magee returned to the team in place of John Wolyniec.
• Here's Osorio's team (4-2-3-1): Jon Conway - Chris Leitch, Andrew Boyens, Jeff Parke, Kevin Goldthwaite - Seth Stammler, Dave van den Bergh - Dane Richards (Carlos Mendes 92+), Mike Magee (John Wolyniec 65), Danleigh Borman (Luke Sassano 77) - Juan Pablo Angel. Substitutes Not Used: Hunter Freeman, Kevin Mesa, Zach Thornton, Sinisa Ubiparipovic
• "I'm pleased with the result, but I believe we still need to improve. In general, I think we got what we deserved," Osorio said. "We limited a very good team to only a few chances, so I have to be pleased we put a team on the field that could have done better. This is something we just have to build on."
TEAM NEWS
• After the goal, Angel was in so much pain he couldn't even celebrate properly. He finished the match limping around the field, yet still played the entire 90 minutes.
• "I normally try and jump with my left leg, but that is the one that is hurt right now," Angel said. "So I tried to avoid the jump."
• Said rookie midfielder Luke Sassano: "I've been in the training room this week nursing my toe and he's in there before everybody's there, two hours before training, just to get out there and play for us. He doesn't have to be out there in training. We know he's going through a lot of pain, but when he steps on the field we know we're a better team with him."
• However, Angel did injure his hamstring late in the match which leaves some question as to his availability for the United match.
• "I was very sore in my back and in my hamstring as the game went on and I think it was 10 minutes before the end of the game, I went to trap the ball down and I felt it go very tight," Angel said. "I don't think I pulled it but it's very short right now. I hope it's nothing serious but I'm not really happy with how things are going this year."
• There are other possible injury concerns for Osorio. Jeff Parke injured his ankle in the first half, but lasted through the full match. Dane Richards was not as fortunate, needing to be taken off in stoppage time after he rolled an ankle. Richards again impressed his coach with his flank play, especially leading to the goal.
• "I have to be honest, I just told him to go out there and express himself and play without any restrictions. I think he found the game himself, which is what we said at halftime to everyone, find the game yourself," Osorio said.
• For the Red Bulls, it was their first clean sheet in six games, and came not longer after conceding five goals at home to the Chicago Fire.
• "I thought the defense has been playing great except for the slip-up during the Chicago game but in general, we've been good. We limited chances and played good defensive techniques, remembering what the coaches tell us when we go out and play. I think it's been great," said goalkeeper Jon Conway.
