Zero goals again as Fire remain stuck on zero wins

Edison Flores scored his first MLS goal in the seventh minute and D.C. United beat the Fire 1-0 on Thursday night at Audi Field in Washington.

D.C. United (2-3-0) snapped a three-game losing streak. The Fire (0-4-1) are winless through five matches for the second time in club history — starting 0-2-6 in 2014. The Fire have not scored in three consecutive games and have been outscored 10-3 this season.

Flores, a designated player from Peru in his second season with D.C. United, heading home Adrien Pérez’s pass to the top of the six-yard box. Julian Gressel nearly gave D.C. United a 2-0 lead in the 21st minute but his shot hit the crossbar.

D.C. United goalkeeper Jon Kempin made his first MLS start since June 29, 2019. Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth did not concede multiple goals for the first time in five starts this season.

Coach Raphael Wicky shuffled the Fire’s starting lineup after the 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, and it included the first career start of 17-year-old Brian Gutierrez. He is the youngest Homegrown signing and third-youngest player overall in Club history to start for the Fire. Gutierrez had two quality chances, including one shot that hit the post in the 37th minute.

Defender Miguel Navarro made his first start of the season, while midfielder Alvaro Medrán and defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda returned to the starting XI.

Second-half substitute Fabian Herbers, who saw his first action of the season, flicked a header that struck the crossbar in the 92nd minute.

‘‘Personally, it feels good to be back out there and help the team on the field . . . but obviously the overall mood is frustrating because we’re struggling to win games right now,’’ Herbers said.

Another 17-year-old Homegrown player, Javier Casas Jr., also made his first career MLS appearance, coming on for midfielder Gastón Giménez at halftime.