Namoff's goal gets United by Fire 1-0

BRIDGEVIEW -- Bryan Namoff's header in the 11th minute accounted for the match's lone goal as D.C. United ended a four-game winless streak with a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

Josh Wicks made several key saves late as United (7-5-11) also ended a nine-match road winless run with their first victory since defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-2 on April 26.

D.C. moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, while the Fire (10-6-8) missed an opportunity to overtake reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus atop the conference, though the Crew have two games in hand.

Chicago nearly escaped with a point as it pressed forward for the tying goal in the closing minutes, but the United defense, which has allowed an MLS-worst 26 road goals, barely held it together as Wicks and defender Dejan Jakovic had to be separated by teammates after a miscommunication on a free kick gave the Fire a quality scoring chance.

Santino Quaranta started the play that led to the deciding score, earning United a free kick 35 yards from goal on the right side after being fouled by defender Brandon Prideaux.

Christian Gomez then curled a perfect right-footed cross into the middle of the area for a streaking Namoff, who nodded the ball into the lower left corner from just outside the 6-yard box.