A WILD FIRE SNUFFS OUT D.C. UNITED : FIRE 2, UNITED 0.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo

The stranglehold D.C. United had on Major League Soccer came crashing down in a blaze of smoky red - not glory.

The third championship so many had predicted, along with the dynasty that would have followed for the two-time defending champion United, moved to a place where dynasties belong in the '90s - Chicago.

Representing a town where championships mean everything, the Chicago Fire became Da Fire, beating favored United 2-0 on Sunday in the MLS Cup final in front of 51,350 at the Rose Bowl.

From Chicago midfielder Chris Armas' masterful defensive job on playmaking wizard and league MVP Marco Etcheverry, to the brilliant assists from Chicago's own playmaker and game MVP Peter Nowak, the Fire went from the expansion boys of March to the unlikely champions of October.

The match featured the relationship between Chicago coach Bob Bradley, whose roots with United coach Bruce Arena include the '96 and '97 championships when he was Arena's assistant at D.C. Also, Bradley's memorable loss in 1993 when his Princeton-coached squad lost to Arena's powerful Virginia team in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

The past doesn't matter now. Bradley proudly watched his masterful plan work wonders on his former boss as the Fire created chance after chance against the champions.

``We felt as the year went on that we had a unique group of players who have what it takes to compete for a championship,'' Bradley said. ``This team didn't just defend as people said. To be a good team includes both attacking and defending and that's what you saw today.''

The victory probably meant more to Armas than anyone. Two years ago, Armas was part of the Galaxy team that blew a 2-0 lead to United in the first MLS Cup final, losing 3-2 in overtime.

Up 2-0 again, Armas thought about '96 the entire second half.

``There's no question, I thought about it (the two-goal lead in '96),'' Armas said. ``This was three years of hard work.

``As a team, the media had a lot to say with trying to keep us down, but all that matters is what happens on that field. We showed today that we're among the best in the league. Say you want about the way we play as long as you say we're champions.''

The match didn't go without its controversies. In the opening minute, soon after United's Jaime Moreno missed an open shot from 10 yards out, Etcheverry appeared to be taken down in the penalty area, but referee Kevin Terry allowed play to go on. Moments later, Chicago answered with probably its best piece of work this season.

Midfielder Diego Gutierrez started the sequence just outside the D.C. box, passing to Lubos Kubik. Kubik caught United off-guard with a quick flick pass down the left flank to an unmarked Nowak. Nowak cut inside, dropping a pass back to Ante Razov who quickly returned it.

Nowak drove toward the goal behind the defense, forcing United goalkeeper Tom Presthus off his line. At the last second, Nowak slipped a pass to his right for Jerzy Podbrozny, who easily finished with an open net to give Chicago a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.

The Fire finished United with a controversial goal in the 45th minute.

From the left side, Nowak cut right, keeping United defender Tony Sanneh to his left. Nowak then tried a quick shot from 15-yards straightaway that ricocheted off Gutierrez, who was credited with the goal as he raced toward the net. With Razov close in an offside position, the ball trickled in with United players screaming for Razov's offsides.

``The breaks certainly didn't go our way,'' Arena said. ``It's hard for me to believe we are not champions. The missed call on Etcheverry was a big call. The offsides that wasn't called was big, but give them (Chicago) credit. They deserved to be champions and I don't want to take away from the Fire's day.''

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Chicago midfielder Peter Nowak, the MLS Cup MVP, proudly lifts the championship trophy.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

(2--Color) United's A.J. Wood leaps over Chicago goalkeeper Zach Thornton on Sunday.

Michael Caulfield/Associated Press