As the front office continued an urgent search for roster help, D.C. United returned from a three-week layoff Saturday with a stronger defensive performance but another frail attacking effort in a 1-0 road defeat to the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.
The summer transfer and trade window couldn’t come fast enough for United (4-8-2), which is winless in five straight and 1-4-2 over the past seven outings.
After conceding 10 goals the previous four matches, D.C. made marked improvement. But in the 78th minute, Kacper Przybylko chipped the ball to substitute Fabian Herbers for a 15-yard header that kissed the right post.