Penalty-Kick Goal Puts Fire in Western Finals

DENVER — The Chicago Fire completed a sweep of its best-of-three MLS Western Conference semifinal series with a 1-0 victory Monday night over the Colorado Rapids on a penalty-kick goal by Lubos Kubik.

Chicago next plays the Los Angeles Galaxy in a Western finals matchup that begins Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

Against Colorado, Kubik made his penalty kick in the 42nd minute after Fire midfielder Peter Nowak dribbled through a pack of Rapids and drew a foul from Steve Trittschuh inside the box.

Chicago goalie Zach Thornton parried a shot by Colorado’s Paul Bravo off the crossbar in the 78th minute. Thornton had three saves and disrupted 12 Rapids crosses.