Naperville native Doody makes MLS debut with Chicago Fire

Maybe the Chicago Fire's problem lately has been not enough Naperville guys on the field.

With Neuqua Valley High School graduate Patrick Doody making his first MLS start at left back, Michael Stephens came off the bench to provide the game-winning assist in the Fire's 1-0 victory against visiting Seattle on Saturday.

The Fire had gone five straight games without a victory, and rumors had the last-place Fire (5-9-3, 18 points) searching for a coach to replace Frank Yallop. With the game still scoreless in second-half extra time, Stephens started a counterattack following a Seattle free kick, racing across midfield and finding fellow second-half substitute Jason Johnson.

Johnson cut inside from the right wing and blasted a shot into the Sounders' net just in front of Seattle defender Dylan Remick, an Inverness native.

"J.J. and Mikey combined great for the goal," Yallop said. "Terrific finish."

"I just had one thing on my mind," Johnson added. "To shoot."

Meanwhile, Doody looked strong on the back line. Just recalled from his loan to Saint Louis FC because of injuries and international duty for Fire regulars, the first-year homegrown player was pressed into service.

"Great," Yallop said of Doody's play. "Happy for Patrick. Just a solid, good performance."

"A lot of emotions, a lot going on," Doody said. "Definitely got easier after the first pass, like people tell you. At the end we got the win, which is really all that matters."

With Joevin Jones still at the Gold Cup, Doody could be back with the Fire on Wednesday night when it welcomes Columbus to Toyota Park, especially after helping get a shutout.

"I think the clean sheet was big," Doody said. "As a back four, back five, we were solid."

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