Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - When D.C. United and the Chicago Fire squared off in a Major League Soccer fixture on Saturday at Toyota Park, a newly signed veteran made his presence felt in the game.

No, it wasn't new Fire forward Brian McBride, who has starred for the U.S. national team and in the English Premier League in recent years. It was goalkeeper Louis Crayton, who was signed by United to replace the inconsistent Zach Wells.

Crayton looked strong, making two saves in a tight game and Fred scored the lone goal as United earned a 1-0 victory to improve to fourth in the Eastern table. Crayton earned the shutout in his first MLS start after Wells earned just one clean sheet in 17 starts this season.

Fred's goal came on a corner kick taken by Jaime Moreno. The ball swung in from the left side to Fred, who guide the chance in with his head at the far post. It was the Brazilian winger's second goal of the season.

McBride didn't start in the game after playing all 90 minutes for the United States in Wednesday's 2-1 elimination loss to Nigeria in the Beijing Olympics. He did come on to start the second half to add some quality to the Fire attack, but they were unable to break down a much maligned United defense as the team earned just its second shutout of the season.

United (9-9-1) is now just four points behind the Fire (9-6-5) in the standings with a game in hand. D.C. will aim to close the gap more when it plays at New England on Wednesday while the Fire play at the Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday in their next league fixture.