Three key people in familiar to U.S. national team fans were on different sides of the clash. The Galaxy welcomed coaches Bruce Arena and Dave Sarachan, while the Chicago Fire marked the debut of Brian McBride as a starter. McBride had the bigger impact, notching an assist on the winning goal in the 65th minute.
That added a bit of intrigue to a game that was missing big names and key players. Landon Donovan, David Beckham and the newly signed Eddie Lewis were absent for the Galaxy, while the Fire were without Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Gonzalo Segares and Marco Pappa. The players had all participated in games for their national teams the night before.
Perhaps Sarachan, the new Galaxy associate coach and former Fire head coach, had prepared the Galaxy defenders well for the Fire attack. Throughout the first half they were able to turn back the best efforts of Chicago's players.
The Galaxy defense was kept busy from the start of the match, as Chicago earned a corner in the opening minute. The Fire had four different chances to score in the first 10 minutes.
Fire midfielder Stephen King was an early instigator, taking the first two shots. Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin saved one, while the other was deflected away. Forward Patrick Nyarko then cracked a shot towards goal in the seventh minute that Cronin managed to stop. Brian McBride, making his first start for his hometown team, had his attempt saved by Cronin in the 10th minute.
The rhythm of Chicago's offense was disrupted somewhat when Nyarko left the field due to an injury from a collision. Justin Mapp replaced the rookie forward in the 22nd minute.
Despite the change, the Fire dominated the opening 45 minutes, but the backline of the Galaxy held, thanks in no small part to the most impressive of Cronin's saves. In the 30th minute, Chris Rolfe got into the right side of the box and loosed a fierce, bending shot on goal with the outside of his boot. Cronin managed to parry the ball onto the post, where it bounced harmlessly away.
Even if the Fire attackers hadn't made good on their opportunities, the Chicago defense was solid, limiting the Galaxy to only four shots. Two missed, while goalkeeper Jon Busch confidently saved the others.
The Fire players were less wasteful with their chances in the second half.
In the 66th minute, John Thorrington received a quick return pass from McBride on the run, catching the Galaxy defenders flat-footed. He struck a hard, dipping shot from just outside the area that curled past Cronin and into the right corner of the net.
Thorington has become something of a Galaxy nemesis. It was his goal that killed the Galaxy's chances last season of making the playoffs, guaranteeing postseason play instead for the Fire.
As the Galaxy tried to push for the equalizer, the Fire continued to play the careful defense that had denied Los Angeles all game long. Edson Buddle had a good opportunity in the 76th minute, but put his shot right at Busch.
Rolfe nearly took advantage of a Galaxy blunder in the 77th minute, running on to a backpass that Greg Vanney bobbled in the box. As Cronin dived in desperation, Rolfe poked the ball past him, but just wide of the net.
The Galaxy had a little flurry threatening the Fire goal around the 80th minute, but it came to nothing. The Fire defenders clamped down while Busch calmly collected any balls that did make it through. With the final whistle came the ninth shutout of the season for Chicago, most in the league.
With the win, the Fire move to second place in the Eastern Conference for the time being. The Fire next play Saturday, Aug. 31, when they take on the Houston Dynamo on the road. The Galaxy also hit the road, facing the New England Revolution the same night.
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