Nyarko scores in 76th minute to lift Fire to 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake

Nyarko lifts Fire past Real Salt Lake, 1-0

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Patrick Nyarko scored in the 76th minute to lift Chicago to a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday night, extending the Fire’s unbeaten streak to five games.

Nyarko got his fourth goal of the season on a header that caromed off the left post, and he freed himself from the defense long enough to get on the end of a cross from Tim Ward.

Nyarko is getting more playing time at forward after July shoulder surgery shelved former U.S. national team star Brian McBride for up to four months. Prior to the injury, Nyarko had been used as a right midfielder.

The Fire (8-3-8) improved to 3-0-2 in their last five games, winning without playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco (left ankle sprain) and defender Wilman Conde (left hamstring soreness).

Both players picked up injuries in Wednesday’s All-Star game at Salt Lake, where the MLS team lost 4-3 on penalties to England’s Everton, but both are expected to be back for Wednesday’s SuperLiga final against Tigres of Mexico.

Salt Lake (6-8-5) had 16 shots, but just three on goal.

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