Gomez, Moreno score goals, Wicks stops penalty kick as United hold off Fire, 2-1

Wicks stops penalty kick, United hold off Fire

WASHINGTON — Christian Gomez and Jaime Moreno scored, Josh Wicks stopped Brian McBride’s second-half penalty kick, and D.C. United beat the Chicago Fire 2-1 Saturday night.

Gomez scored the winner on a free kick shortly before halftime, and Moreno scored his fifth goal of the season on a penalty kick for United (5-2-7), which won its second in a row.

When the Fire came up with a penalty kick of their own in the 49th minute for Wicks’ tackle of McBride, Wicks dropped to his right to bat away the ball for one of his five saves.

Chicago (5-3-6) tied the score at 1 in the 33rd minute on Marco Pappa’s goal but lost its third consecutive game and first on the road.

The Fire drew three yellow cards in the first half, and the last one helped United take the decisive lead in the 41st minute.

William Conde was carded for arguing Gonzalo Segares’ foul on Chris Pontius at the top of the box. United connected on the ensuing free kick, as Gomez rocketed a shot from 20 yards past John Busch on the right side.

Before Pappa pulled the Fire even by scoring in the middle of the box on a cross from Tim Ward, United took the initial lead on Moreno’s penalty kick in the 24th minute. Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch incurred the penalty on a yellow card for a reckless foul in a collision with Pontius at the corner of the goal area.

Moreno left in the 39th minute with muscle spasms.

Story from: STATS LLC, www.stats.com.