John Thorrington and solid team play were the stories Saturday night in the Chicago Fire's 2-1 win against the Colorado Rapids. Thorrington became the hero, hitting for second-half goals in the 53rd and 84th minutes. And the team held together to win their third match of the season.
The goals marked the first two of the season for Thorrington and third and fourth of his four-year career with the Fire. It might not be a lot for a four-year career, but Thorrington has only played in 15 games for the Fire during those four years. Now the statistics become more impressive. Thorrington battled through injuries the last three seasons and finally feels he's more than ready to contribute.
"I know when I'm healthy I can help this team," Thorrington said. "I don't take this job for granted. It's very satisfying that I was able to get two goals and help the team win tonight."
The past two games Thorrington has started in midfield for the Fire. He has been strong both offensively and defensively. Fire head coach Denis Hamlett smiled when asked if Thorrington provided a good case for a starting spot.
"He sure did," Hamlett said. "He defended well last week and got himself in some good positions. Tonight he got forward, got two good chances and finished them."
Offensively the Fire had a number of chances again -- 12 shots, eight on goal. But finishing has been the issue. Overall four players, Thorrington, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Tomasz Frankowski and Chad Barrett have scored two goals apiece for Chicago this season for eight total.
"We're a very attractive team to watch," Thorrington said. "We have our creative players who make it fun. But our goals come from everywhere in training and everywhere in games. We have a variety of players who can score goals."
Defensively, the Fire stayed solid for 86 minutes, until Colorado's Tom McManus broke through with a goal of his own. Chicago has allowed just three goals in its first five games.
"Our guys were a little disappointed we couldn't stick out a 2-0 win," Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch said. "It's nice when they're upset about giving up a goal. They wanted that shutout."
Thorrington said the coaches have showed them what needs to be done to defend well.
"It's a mentality our coaching staff has instilled in us," Thorrington said. "When we defend properly, it keeps us in games. Now we're developing a good understanding as to what we each need to do individually to defend. It's making it hard for other teams to score."
Chicago hits the road for games at New England and D.C. United and finally returns home May 17 when the Fire will take on the Houston Dynamo.
"We feel good," Fire midfielder Logan Pause said. "At this point we're sitting with 10 points. We weren't happy about dropping a game at home. But it's going to be a tough road ahead of us. We're starting to get into the thick of some big conference games."
Overall, five games in, Chicago is sitting 3-1-1. Saturday's game might have had a slow start. But the second half left the Fire fans hungering for more.
Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
