Fire inspired by Patrick Nyarko’s early goal
BY SETH GRUEN For Sun-Times Media September 2, 2012 10:48PM
Chris Rolfe (right) celebrates with Patrick Nyarko, who scored 50 seconds into the game. | Brian Kersey~AP
Updated: October 4, 2012 6:22AM
Patrick Nyarko scored in the opening minute and Daniel Paladini had a goal in the 19th to lead the Fire to a 3-1 victory Sunday night against the Houston Dynamo.
Alex scored in second-half stoppage time to seal the win as the Fire (13-8-5) moved two points ahead of the Dynamo for third place in the Eastern Conference.
Brian Ching scored in the 90th minute for Houston (11-7-9), using his left knee to deflect Brad Davis’ corner kick into the net. The late goal spoiled Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson’s bid for a fifth shutout. Johnson finished with five saves, including a difficult stop on Je-Vaughn Watson a minute earlier.
Nyarko picked off a pass intended for Dynamo defender Jermaine Taylor, ran 40 yards and beat goalkeeper Tally Hall 50 seconds into the game. It was the second-fastest score of the year for the Fire. Dominic Oduro scored 25 seconds in against Toronto on April 21.
Dynamo forward Macoumba Kandji nearly scored on a Fire defensive miscue in the 13th minute, but he caromed the ball into the net with his right shoulder and was called for a hand-ball violation.
Paladini made it 2-0 when he deflected Sherjill MacDonald’s pass past Hall with his right ankle from seven yards out six minutes later.
Alex got his first goal for the Fire on a 20-yard lob shot off the right post about three minutes into stoppage time.
AP
