Early surge helps Fire edge Revs

Sebastian Grazzini (center)
-- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire made an early push on the offensive end, and they needed every goal to overcome a late lapse on the defensive end against the New England Revolution on Sunday. Chicago tallied three first-half goals and edged the Revs, 3-2, in front of 14,576 at Toyota Park.

Fire midfielder Sebastian Grazzini had a goal and an assist before leaving the match in the 25th minute because of left hamstring tightness. Dominic Oduro netted his team-leading 11th goal, and Patrick Nyarko's first goal of the season proved to be the game-winner as the Fire took a 3-0 lead into halftime.

It was a much needed victory for Chicago in order to stay within reach of the bottom of the wild card pack. The New York Red Bulls moved back into the final wild card position on Saturday with 39 points after posting a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers.

"There was a lot on the line -- do or die, I think, for both clubs," Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas said. "We came out and we had a very good start to the game."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire try to stay in hunt against Revs

Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The theme for the Chicago Fire will not change over the next several weeks. Chicago is in must-win mode with six regular-season matches remaining. And as long as the rest of the MLS field continues to oblige by keeping the Fire in the mix, that outside chance of a postseason berth remains.

The Fire (5-8-15, 30 points) host the New England Revolution (5-12-12, 27 points) this Sunday at Toyota Park, facing the only team remaining on Chicago's schedule that is in worse shape than the Fire.

"Now that we've put kind of a little run together, we've got to keep it going," Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson said. "We can't afford to take strides forward and then take steps back. We've got to keep pushing, pushing, pushing, until we get to where we want to be. And that's ultimately the playoffs."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Lone 'D' mistake costs Fire in draw

Fire celebrate lone goal -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

The Chicago Fire defense has been in top form under interim head coach Frank Klopas, posting three straight shutouts under his tenure. But one slightly delayed push by the defensive back line allowed the New England Revolution a game-tying goal, as Chicago played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

The Fire's Dominic Oduro tallied Chicago's lone goal in the 32nd minute for a 1-0 lead. But early in the second half, Revs forward Rajko Lekic leveled the match at 1-1.

Chicago's defensive back line attempted to put Lekic in an offside position, but veteran defenders Cory Gibbs and Gonzalo Segares were a shade late in stepping up -- replays showed that Lekic stayed onside. New England's Pat Phelan had the service to Lekic, and Lekic placed his shot inside the right post to tie the score.

It was the only major mistake from Chicago (2-4-9), which had the lead and was in position for a second straight win against an Eastern Conference foe.

"We're definitely frustrated because we managed the game well," Segares said. "We had plenty of chances, and I think that's what makes this hurt a little bit more."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire, Revs gear up for East battle

Frank Klopas -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire's dreaded winless streak has passed. Now the Fire have the task of building off of a long-awaited victory when they take on the New England Revolution on Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Chicago's team-record 11-game span without a victory was an unavoidable talking point over a two-and-a-half-month stretch. But with a road win against the Columbus Crew last week, the Fire are now switching gears for a second straight positive outcome against another Eastern Conference foe.

"We feel like if we match their intensity, the soccer part will take care of itself and we can get a result," Fire midfielder Patrick Nyarko said of the New England match. "Especially on their home field."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

OCT. 31 SOCCER LINKS

My recent posts on ESPNChicago.com:
• Oct. 31: Game 1 preview - Chicago Fire at New England Revolution
• Oct. 30: Time is now for Fire - Chicago has dealt with distractions all season
• Oct. 30: This date in Fire history: Oct. 30, 1998 - Fire complete 'double' with U.S. Open Cup victory

Also noteworthy:
• Chicago Tribune: What Chicago Fire need to do in playoffs
• Pitch Invasion's The Sweeper: Beckham and Blanco move on -- can MLS?
• Ella Masar Blog: Red Stars forward comments on the U.S. WNT vs. Germany match

FAMILIAR FACES

Fire, Revs square off for eighth postseason affair

On my ESPNChicago.com Chicago Fire blog, I list the complete rundown of the playoff history between the Fire and New England Revolution. CLICK HERE to read my post.

FIRE TO FACE REVS IN PLAYOFFS

Plus, a look back at a memorable day in Fire history

On my ESPNChicago.com Chicago Fire blog, I note the schedule for the upcoming playoff series between the Fire and New England Revolution, and mention the 11th anniversary of the Fire's 1998 MLS Cup (right). Read the below links from Sunday's ESPN Chicago posts:

• This date in Fire history: Oct. 25, 1998: Expansion Fire end D.C. United's early reign, win MLS Cup
• Fire face Revolution in Round 1

PREVIEW: FIRE AT REVOLUTION

The last time the Chicago Fire won a game was a thrilling 3-2 comeback against the visiting Colorado Rapids on Aug. 23, erasing a 2-0 second-half deficit. Since then, Chicago has posted a 0-2-3 record.

The Fire clearly want to get out of their funk, especially since they still control their own playoff fate. They take on the host New England Revolution at 5 p.m. (CST) Saturday at Gillette Stadium (game televised on Fox Soccer Channel).

Chicago (10-7-11, 41 points) has had two weeks off to heal up and shore up a few things. The return of Chris Rolfe (pictured) from a hamstring injury certainly is a pick-me-up. Cuauhtemoc Blanco also should be available, though Blanco's recent Mexican national team work probably will be taken into consideration for head coach Denis Hamlett's lineup.

The Fire-Revs rivalry always is a heated one. New England (10-10-8, 38 points) is hanging in there with the eighth playoff spot if the season ended prior to this match. The Revs have found a way to win among the most dire circumstances on the injury front, and head coach Steve Nicol somehow, some way gets the most out of his players.

Chicago is not in for an easy match Saturday, that is for sure. But with a league-high six road victories, the Fire have mounted some significant accomplishments away from Toyota Park. This one should clinch another playoff berth: Fire 1, Revolution 0

SUPERLIGA SCHEDULE RELEASED

Major League Soccer and the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol unveiled its schedule and participating teams for the 2009 SuperLiga. SuperLiga begins play on Saturday, June 20, and the title match will be held on Aug. 5.

MLS participants include the Chicago Fire and Chivas USA in Group A, and the New England Revolution and Kansas City Wizards in Group B. From Mexico's Primera Division, in Group A are San Luis and Tigres UANL, and in Group B are Santos Laguna and Atlas.

Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com/mls, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

CLICK HERE for the full SuperLiga schedule and pairings.