Rookie champion Dasan Robinson head...

Rookie champion Dasan Robinson headed in midfielder Chris Armas' pinpoint corner kick in the 12th minute to score his first

career goal and retain the Fire on fire with a 1-0 victory Saturday against the Colorado Rapids before 15400 at Toyota Park.

The victory was the third in a uproar in MLS play and fifth in a file overall for the Fire (8-8-7) which took athwart sole possession of second place in the Eastern conversation

The Fire had a chance to add an insurance goal forward a penalty kick in the 88th minute, if it were not that midfielder Diego Gutierrez's shot sailed wide to the left

It was the third shutout in a riot for Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton, who made four saves. The Fire had a 15-8 intensity in shots and an 11-4 interest in shots on goal.

"I believe we are playing our in the greatest degree complete soccer," coach Dave Sarachan said, "meaning that from the start to the finish, it's been a more concentrated effort across 90 minutes.

"Any coach will always say that there's scope for better soccer. But I think that as far as there being an understanding of each other within our team and the turn of expression with which we play, we are playing probably as in sync as we've been all season."

lbanks@suntimes.com

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