Fire coach Bob Bradley is going to find it harder and harder to keep Josh Wolff on the bench.
The Project-40 rookie didn’t score Friday in the Fire’s 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in Denver but played a key role in the first goal.
It was Wolff’s explosiveness with the ball that led to a penalty-kick goal by Lubos Kubik in the 64th minute.
Wolff found himself with the ball on the far left side of the Colorado goal with his back to the goal. Wolff turned and made a run into the penalty area and was tripped by Rapids defender Peter Vermes, drawing the penalty.
Kubik calmly slotted his shot to the right of goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann for his fifth goal of the season. Kubik has both Fire penalty-kick goals this season.
The Fire (15-10) scored an insurance tally just three minutes later.
Roman Kosecki took the ball on the left outside the Rapids’ penalty area and beat three defenders while making a run into the area. Koseski then sent a perfect cross which midfielder Chris Armas flicked with his head past Hahnemann. The goal was Armas’ first of the season.
The two goals were more than enough for Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton, who recorded his seventh shutout to tie for the league lead. After three straight starts, Bradley gave keeper Jorge Campos the night off.
Also getting the night off was defender Francis Okaroh, who has been playing with cracked ribs. Tom Soehn filled in for Okaroh.
The victory moved the Fire three points closer to an MLS playoff spot. Depending on the weekend results from the Dallas and Kansas City matches, the Fire could clinch a bid next Saturday with a victory in Kansas City.
