MLS Playoffs - Chicago Takes Care of Revolution

Defenders Wilman Conde and Gonzalo Segares also scored for the Fire.  Chicago coach Denis Hamlett used the same lineup he used to start the game last week in New England. That lineup included MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Jon Busch, MVP hopeful Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Defender of the Year nominee Bakary Soumare.

The Revolution were forced to make one change to the team that played last week. Defender Chris Tierney suffered a knee injury and did not travel with the team to Chicago. He was replaced by Amaechi Igwe.

The Fire had the first good scoring opportunity, coming in the 4th minute on a corner kick. Rolfe collected the service standing at the top right corner of the box and his shot was stopped by defender Michael Parkhurst, standing on the line at the right post.   There were other scoring opportunities for the Fire in the first half, including a nice cross by Mapp to Segares inside the box who redirected the ball just wide.

The Revolution's best scoring chance came in the 43rd minute on a corner kick that midfielder Shalrie Joseph, who was battling a knee injury of his own, headed straight into Busch's chest from near the penalty mark.  In stoppage time, the Fire finally broke thru.  Blanco picked up with the ball on the left side of the penalty area, split two defenders and fired a shot far post.  Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis extended himself making the save at full stretch but left the rebound in front of goal where where Chris Rolfe had an easy finish.

The second half was immediately hard-fought, as the Revolution were called for two fouls in the opening two minutes. The second resulted in a free kick from 23 yards out, beyond the left corner of the area.   Justin Mapp put in the set piece where defender Conde got inside Phelan for a header into the left corner of the net and the Fire's second goal.   The Fire scored its third goal in the 74th minute on a nice piece of work by Rolfe. Rolfe, who had two goals and two assists in the Fire's last regular season game against New York, danced with the ball outside the right edge of the penalty area, then played a cross past two defenders to Segares, who was running to goal for a first-time shot into the goal.

Chicago will now advance to play the winner of the Columbus-Kansas City series which is currently tied on aggregate at 1.