MLS Playoffs: Chicago Fire Burn New England Revolution

BRIDGEVIEW, IL —Needing a comeback victory to move on to the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Chicago Fire managed a 2-0 win over the New England Revolution.

Head coach Denis Hamlett made two changes from the game one starting line-up, inserting John Thorrington and Daniel Woolard in place of Mike Banner and Baggio Husidic.

On an unseasonably beautiful November night in Chicago, Hamlett’s changes paid off, and the Chicago Fire refused to be eliminated from the playoffs on their home field.

First Half

Although intense, neither team was very dangerous to start the match, as the atmosphere and the magnitude of the game brought out some nerves and sloppy play.

Outside of a free kick and blocked Edgaras Jankauskas shot, the first legitimate chance of the game didn’t come until nearly ten minutes in. Daniel Woolard played a long diagonal ball from his left back position that found Cuauhtemoc Blanco near the top of the box. The Mexican international one-timed it across the goal to Chris Rolfe, but the Revolution cleared the ball before he had a chance to put a shot on goal.

Shortly after, Kenny Mansally nearly left his team a man down when he shoulder barged Blanco right in front of the linesman after the ball had been cleared away. Much to the chagrin of the Fire supporters Mansally was only given a yellow card by Referee Alex Prus.

Fortunate to not be a man down, New England nearly added to their one goal aggregate lead when Sainey Nyassi found Jankauskas in the box, and the big striker headed the ball past Jon Busch but off the crossbar.

Fueled by the loud home crowd, Chicago began to take control of the match and push for a goal. Blanco and Marco Pappa terrorized Jay Heap and Mansally on the right side, providing cross after cross into the Revolution box.

Ten minutes from the halftime whistle, the Fire would get their much deserved goal from a fabulous collective play. Blanco passed the ball to Brandon Prideaux running forward on the right hand side, and Prideaux found Pappa at the top of the box. Pappa beat Emanuel Osei and then cut back a pass to John Thorrington who slid the ball past a diving Matt Reis just inside the left post, sending the large crowd into a frenzy.

Just a few minutes later, Pappa nearly gave the series advantage to the Fire as he stole the ball from Mansally and then curled a left-footed shot towards the far post. Matt Reis was up to the challenge though, as he tipped the ball wide of his goal.

Neither team was able to create any more formidable opportunities the rest of the half, and the stage was set for a thrilling finish as the teams went to the locker room tied on aggregate.

Second Half

With everything to play for, both teams came onto the field after the break playing at a high level of intensity.

Brian McBride had an opportunity to score another goal for the Fire when a set piece from Blanco found the Arlington Heights native in front of goal, but his header went straight to Reis. It was McBride’s last opportunity to make his mark on the game, as he was forced to leave injured a few minutes later.

The next dangerous opportunity for the Fire came when Rolfe played a great ball to Blanco on the far post. The crafty veteran found Dasan Robinson on the near post. After his first header attempt came straight back down to him, he then headed the ball over Reis where game one hero Sharlie Joseph headed the ball over the goal for the corner kick.

The Revolution attempted to slow down the game with possession, but they were unable to take control of the game. The Fire and the 21,000 supporters demanded a fast paced affair.

As full time approached, Patrick Nyarko’s pace and tenacity began to play a huge role in the game. The former Virginia Tech striker won a ball off of Jay Heaps on the sideline and then set up Blanco for a shot from the top of the box that skimmed the off the crossbar.

Nyarko stole the ball from Osei on the end line a few minutes later, and then found Blanco again. This time the forward left no doubt as he put the ball in the top corner to give the Fire the lead in the series.

As the game neared the final whistle, the Revolution desperately pushed forward in search of a series tying goal. Pat Phelan almost tied the game in the last few minutes, but his header just missed the far post of Jon Busch’s goal.

Isaac Heath, Goal.com

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