Busch credits entire team for shutout win

The stingy Fire defense of 2008 finally is reappearing in 2009.

The Fire earned its fourth consecutive MLS shutout Saturday night at Toyota Park, grabbing a 1-0 victory against Real Salt Lake on a Patrick Nyarko goal.

"It's fantastic," Fire defender Bakary Soumare said of the defense's recent success.

"We started the season a little tough at first. It seemed like we were always giving up bad goals, easy goals. But when we're able to keep it tight we give the team a chance to get 3 points. It's been good, and we're happy."

Jon Busch picked up his seventh shutout in the net, with help from defenders Gonzalo Segares, Soumare, C.J. Brown and Brandon Prideaux.

Actually, Busch credited all 11 players on the field.

"It tells me that everybody's contributing, not just the back four, but everybody's doing their dirty work," said Busch, the 2008 MLS goalkeeper of the year. "And we've talked about this from the beginning, that if we are hard to beat defensively, we are always in games.

"We got on a roll, and everybody's doing the work, from the forwards back. Everybody's chasing, everybody's - cutting passes off. And the guys in the back, the back line, have done a fantastic job.

"It hasn't been easy, because we've had almost a new back line every game. But guys have stepped up and they've done a tremendous job."

The change dates to the midway point of the season, when Fire players and coaches decided to rededicate themselves to defense.

"We have an older group; we know what it's about," Busch said. "We know when it's time to get going, and this is our time to get going. Nobody needs to kick us in the (rear end). We know. We're a very experienced group."

It looked like the game might finish again in a scoreless draw until the Fire (8-3-8, 32 points) connected in the 76th minute. A Mike Banner throw-in on the left side found Tim Ward, normally a right back who moved up to central midfield due to John Thorrington's suspension.

"This was a good move, huh?" Fire coach Denis Hamlett said with a chuckle. "(Ward) played a great ball to Patrick."

Ward's left-footed cross caught Nyarko on the run 6 yards from goal with defender Jamison Olave draped on his back. Nyarko's diving header beat goalkeeper Nick Rimando for the only goal of the game.