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player ready...Robert Earnshaw quickly has shown a flair for clutch production.
The new Fire forward scored in his second straight game Saturday night, nailing the game-winner in the 83rd minute of a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas at Toyota Park.
Fire coach Frank Yallop, who targeted Earnshaw while previously coaching at San Jose, had a good idea that was the kind of production he would get.
“If you look at Robbie’s record it’s very good,” Yallop said. “He knows how to score goals. Give him the service and he’ll put it in the net. I’m not surprised, but very happy.”
The Fire brought Earnshaw aboard just before they missed on a seemingly more significant signing in U.S. National Team midfielder Jermaine Jones.
But Earnshaw’s arrival may prove more critical as the Fire (5-6-14, 29 points) move into a stretch playoff drive.
Earnshaw beat Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez with a header off a Jeff Larentowicz assist 10 minutes after coming into the game.
“I’m confident,” Earnshaw said. “It’s good that I’ve come on the last two weeks and scored, but the team has done a lot of hard work just to get to that point that allows me to get in front and score a goal.”
Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson earned his fifth shutout of the season.
Dallas (12-8-6, 42 points) saw a 10-game unbeaten streak snapped.
A 33-year-old Zambian-born Welsh international, Earnshaw played 25 minutes last week at Toronto and scored an equalizing goal against his old team as the Fire rallied to a 2-2 tie.