|
|
Fire, Revolution Draw In MLS Playoff Opener
In the opening game of the 2008 MLS Playoffs, the New England Revolution and Chicago Fire played to a 0-0 draw in Foxboro.
Oct 30, 2008 10:44:44 PM
New England Revolution 0 – 0 Chicago Fire
FOXBORO, Mass. — On a frigid night here at Gillette Stadium, a hot-blooded performance from the undermanned New England Revolution got them a result against the deeper and more talented Chicago Fire. After a goalless draw, there’s everything to play for in next week’s second leg.
The Revs were shorthanded, missing leading scorers Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston through injury, and Khano Smith and Gabriel Badilla through suspension. They really needed a win from this home leg if they were going to have any chance of advancing to the next round of the MLS playoffs. And although they didn’t get the win, considering the odds against them, they’ll be satisfied with the draw.
But then so will the Fire. Going back to Toyota Park for the second leg with the aggregate score tied is certainly agreeable for a team that beat the Revs twice, by a combined 7-0, in two regular season games in Chicago this year.
First half
New England looked sharp early on and just three minutes in, Mauricio Castro struck a free kick from the left side that troubled Chicago keeper Jon Busch. The Goalkeeper of the Year finalist was able to flick it over the bar at the last second. It would be the only shot on goal from either team in the first half.
That’s not to say there weren’t half-chances. In the 13th minute, Mexican midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco, always tricky and creative, nearly scored when he redirected Justin Mapp’s low cross from the left side. The shot targeted the lower corner, but Revs centerback Michael Parkhurst cleared it before it could go in.
In the 23rd minute, Castro shot again had a chance, getting on the end of a Chris Tierney freekick from deep on the right side. But the Honduran’s strike deflected wide.
The Revolution came closest to scoring in the 39th minute when Kheli Dube fired a volley just over the bar. Tierney’s looping header dropped kindly to Dube at the top of the D, and the Zimbabwean striker spun and cracked a shot that dipped as it approached the net. But Busch knew his goal and let it sail over.
Second Half
Chicago took control of the second half early on. In the 53rd minute, Chris Rolfe, who notched a hat trick last time out, but was non-existent most of the night, knocked a cross into the area from the right side. The ball fell to Blanco, but his weak left-footed shot was saved easily by Matt Reis.
Two minutes later, Blanco made it more difficult for Reis. In a mirror image of Dube’s earlier chance, Blanco got the ball near the D, spun, and hit a dipping volley. It had bite and pace, but its aim was directly at Reis’s chest.
In the 65th minute, the Revs had a shout for a PK when Kenny Mansally was tackled hard by John Thorrington in area. Referee Alex Prus waved play on, and replays showed that he was correct to do so. Thorrington got the ball cleanly before also getting Mansally.
Then, it was Chicago’s turn to curse the referee. Mapp, again roving on the left side, sent a low bouncing cross into the center. Brian McBride got in front of his man and put a sharp header past Reis. But the linesman had his flag up – correctly – and the goal was called off.
With two minutes to play New England’s Sainey Nyassi streaked down the right side, past Wilman Conde, and into the penalty box. He was prepared to hit a shot from the corner of the goalkeeper’s box just as Thorrington made a saving tackle. But the ball squirted out to Mansally. His quick-release shot was blocked by a Chicago defender and the danger was averted, denying the Revs a sure goal and an important victory.
The two teams meet again next Thursday in Chicago in the second leg. The aggregate score – MLS does not play the away-goals rule – favors the home side, it must be said. However, the Revolution will be heartened by their performance here, considering the absences to their normally solid lineup.
-- Greg Lalas, Goal.com
FOXBORO, Mass. — On a frigid night here at Gillette Stadium, a hot-blooded performance from the undermanned New England Revolution got them a result against the deeper and more talented Chicago Fire. After a goalless draw, there’s everything to play for in next week’s second leg.
The Revs were shorthanded, missing leading scorers Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston through injury, and Khano Smith and Gabriel Badilla through suspension. They really needed a win from this home leg if they were going to have any chance of advancing to the next round of the MLS playoffs. And although they didn’t get the win, considering the odds against them, they’ll be satisfied with the draw.
But then so will the Fire. Going back to Toyota Park for the second leg with the aggregate score tied is certainly agreeable for a team that beat the Revs twice, by a combined 7-0, in two regular season games in Chicago this year.
First half
New England looked sharp early on and just three minutes in, Mauricio Castro struck a free kick from the left side that troubled Chicago keeper Jon Busch. The Goalkeeper of the Year finalist was able to flick it over the bar at the last second. It would be the only shot on goal from either team in the first half.
That’s not to say there weren’t half-chances. In the 13th minute, Mexican midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco, always tricky and creative, nearly scored when he redirected Justin Mapp’s low cross from the left side. The shot targeted the lower corner, but Revs centerback Michael Parkhurst cleared it before it could go in.
In the 23rd minute, Castro shot again had a chance, getting on the end of a Chris Tierney freekick from deep on the right side. But the Honduran’s strike deflected wide.
The Revolution came closest to scoring in the 39th minute when Kheli Dube fired a volley just over the bar. Tierney’s looping header dropped kindly to Dube at the top of the D, and the Zimbabwean striker spun and cracked a shot that dipped as it approached the net. But Busch knew his goal and let it sail over.
Second Half
Chicago took control of the second half early on. In the 53rd minute, Chris Rolfe, who notched a hat trick last time out, but was non-existent most of the night, knocked a cross into the area from the right side. The ball fell to Blanco, but his weak left-footed shot was saved easily by Matt Reis.
Two minutes later, Blanco made it more difficult for Reis. In a mirror image of Dube’s earlier chance, Blanco got the ball near the D, spun, and hit a dipping volley. It had bite and pace, but its aim was directly at Reis’s chest.
In the 65th minute, the Revs had a shout for a PK when Kenny Mansally was tackled hard by John Thorrington in area. Referee Alex Prus waved play on, and replays showed that he was correct to do so. Thorrington got the ball cleanly before also getting Mansally.
Then, it was Chicago’s turn to curse the referee. Mapp, again roving on the left side, sent a low bouncing cross into the center. Brian McBride got in front of his man and put a sharp header past Reis. But the linesman had his flag up – correctly – and the goal was called off.
With two minutes to play New England’s Sainey Nyassi streaked down the right side, past Wilman Conde, and into the penalty box. He was prepared to hit a shot from the corner of the goalkeeper’s box just as Thorrington made a saving tackle. But the ball squirted out to Mansally. His quick-release shot was blocked by a Chicago defender and the danger was averted, denying the Revs a sure goal and an important victory.
The two teams meet again next Thursday in Chicago in the second leg. The aggregate score – MLS does not play the away-goals rule – favors the home side, it must be said. However, the Revolution will be heartened by their performance here, considering the absences to their normally solid lineup.
-- Greg Lalas, Goal.com
Make Your Prediction
New England Revolution - San Jose
New England Revolution
San Jose
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
New England Revolution 0-2 San Jose
- 15.66 %
-
New England Revolution 1-2 San Jose
- 9.64 %
-
New England Revolution 1-3 San Jose
- 8.43 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.