Thorrington's goal gives Fire 1-0 win over Galaxy
CARSON, Calif. - New coach, same old result.
John Thorrington scored in the 65th minute to give the Chicago Fire a 1-0 victory and spoil new general manager and coach Bruce Arena's debut with Los Angeles on Thursday night. The Galaxy have lost nine straight games.
Arena, who won two MLS Cups with D.C. United and guided the United States in the previous two World Cups, said the team looked better but he expects more improvement.
"It's still not good enough," Arena said. "The team lacks an understanding of some simple things that hopefully will get better once we drive some points home."
The Fire (10-6-5) moved into second place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind New England. The Galaxy (6-9-6) are one shy of tying the team record for consecutive losses set in 2006.
Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch made five saves for his league-leading ninth shutout, one less than his career best.
Thorrington scored his fifth goal of the season after a give-and-go with Brian McBride, who made his first start for the Fire since being acquired from Toronto on July 30.
Thorrington received McBride's return pass, dribbled and took a 23-yard shot between two defenders that landed between diving goalkeeper Steve Cronin and the right post.
"I'm grateful to God that I'm healthy," said Thorrington, who played just four games last year because of injury.
"We've got a team where I can play in a role that suits me."
McBride's assist was his first in Major League Soccer since 2003. He spent the past five seasons playing in England.
"He certainly required us to use a lot of energy," Arena said of McBride. "We lost the ball in a bad spot on the field (before the goal) and did not react well as a group."
The Galaxy played without David Beckham (England) and MLS goals leader Landon Donovan (United States), who were called up by their national teams. The Fire's Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Gonzalo Segares also missed the game after playing for Mexico and Costa Rica, respectively, in World Cup qualifying Wednesday night.