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Firestarter: King sparks Chicago over New York

Sat 6th, September 2008

Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - Stephen King scored the game-winner and Jon Busch posted his league-leading 10th shutout as the Chicago Fire defeated Red Bull New York, 1-0, on Saturday at Toyota Park.

King - who shares his name with famous author Stephen King - took advantage of a scary mistake by New York's defense late in the opening half and Chicago got a couple big saves from Busch.

Chicago (11-7-5) has lost just two times in its last 11 games and is tied with New England for second place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference. New England lost to first-place Columbus, 4-0, on Saturday.

New York (8-7-8) had its six-game unbeaten streak snapped and is 11 points out of first.

Chicago had the first scoring chance in the seventh minute, but Mike Banner's header was cleared off the line by New York defender Diego Jimenez. Banner did well to take a quick shot on goal with Red Bulls goalkeeper Jon Conway off his line, but Jimenez raced in to head the ball out and prevent a goal.

New York also nearly turned its first chance into a goal. Dave van den Bergh found Juan Pablo Angel alone in the penalty area in the 18th minute, but his shot was deflected by the fingertips of Busch and off the crossbar.

The Red Bulls' next chance was in the 24th minute when Dane Richards used his speed to get space down the right, but he fired wide of the left post from 14 yards.

Chicago's Brian McBride countered in the 34th minute by chesting down a cross in the area before firing toward the left post, but Conway dove to deflect the ball wide.

The Fire didn't waste their next chance, though, taking advantage of a mistake by Jimenez to grab the lead before halftime. Jimenez won the ball near the top of the area, but then oddly kicked the ball back into the middle of the box.

King was the only player near the ball and he settled it about 16 yards out, then dribbled in and easily beat Conway to the right post in the 36th minute. King's goal was his second of the season.

Brandon Prideaux had a chance from a few steps inside the box 15 minutes into the second half for Chicago but fired wide of the left post, and McBride shot wide of the right post from about 15 yards minutes later.

Banner had a chance to put the match away later in the second half but despite dribbling around a defender in the area, was denied on a close-range effort by Conway.

New York started to gain more possession late in the second half, but Angel's chance in the 82nd minute was the last good scoring opportunity. Angel drilled a shot just wide of the right post from a tough angle.

The Bulls will try to rebound Sept. 13 when they host Real Salt Lake. Chicago visits Colorado on Sept. 14.

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