You would be excused if you thought that the Chicago Fire didn't know where the goal was anymore. Consecutive scoreless matches made it look like they didn't even know what direction they were supposed to go, but a free kick goal by Pavel Pardo on Saturday night finally got them on the scoreboard and they got a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps because of it.
Chicago Fire Vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 2012 MLS: Fire Finally Score, Win
The lone goal of the match came just 10 minutes in when Pardo hit a great free kick from 20 yards. He hit it over the wall then dipped it under the bar to leave Joe Cannon without a chance.
Holding on for the next 80 minutes wasn’t easy for the Fire, though. That was especially true after the 69th minute when Arne Friedrich was sent off for his second yellow card in three minutes and the home side had to play the last 21 minutes down a man.
Despite being up a man, Vancouver only really threatened Chicago once. Eric Hassli got a good header off in the 87th minute, but Sean Johnson made a good save to deny him. That was all the Whitecaps could muster as the Fire made that elusive stand up for a good three points.
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