COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ante Razov and Peter Nowak scored in the first half to lead the Chicago Fire past the Columbus Crew 2-0 Saturday in a physical match marred by 48 fouls.
Chicago won despite not getting off a shot in the second half
and playing the closing minutes with 10 men.
Razov took a pass from Lubos Kubik and one-timed a shot inside
the near post and past Crew goalkeeper Mark Dougherty to make it
1-0 after five minutes before a crowd of 12,952.
Columbus had a chance to tie when John DeBrito played a through
ball to Dante Washington, whose hard shot was blocked by lunging
Fire goalkeeper Chris Snitko.
Chicago quickly countered. Dema Kovalenko passed to Nowak, who
connected with a right-footed shot nine minutes before the break.
Snitko, acquired this week from Kansas City, had six saves for
the Fire (1-2). Dougherty made three saves for Columbus (1-2),
which held the Fire to zero shots in the second half.
Chicago was called for 28 fouls, and Diego Gutierrez was ejected
for a tackle from behind with three minutes left.
The Crew were whistled for 20 fouls.