MLS playoffs, 11/6: Revolution 1, Fire 0
The Chicago Fire try to pull off some late-game
heroics of the Revolution variety, but can't quite make it out of Gillette
Stadium alive.
OK, let's say it right up front: The dude was
offsides, end of story.
Chicago Fire attacker Gonzalo Segares is caught off on a very dangerous play in second-half injury time, and his potentially tying goal is called back, much to the chagrin of the Fire (especially a certain Herron.) The rules of the game are pretty clear, if you're behind the defense when the ball is played, and you gain an advantage from that position, you are offsides. Segares was fractionally off when the ball was chipped in by Thiago. A Revolution defender scrambled in to latch onto the ball, but Segares beat him to it and bundled the ball into the net, but the whistle had already blown and the linesman's flag was most definitely up.
The Fire brought their best game to Gillette on Sunday, and there was some element of luck to the Revs win. Chicago came out strong early, trying to impose their faster pace on the home team. Fortunately, the Revs used a quick re-start on a fourth-minute free kick to find Shalrie Joseph virtually alone in the area. His shot was steered in by Dempsey for an early goal. Riley did some nice work on the right hand side, his speed giving Chicago trouble at times.
As an aside, let me fulminate again about ESPN2's tremendously intrusive advertising. Something called "ESPN side-by-side" offers an advertisement that takes up a little more than half the screen and all the audio for 30 seconds or so while the game is shown in a small sliver of space. Apparently auto racing fans don't mind this imposition, since it replaced full-on breaks in the action. Soccer fans, who are used to watching games without interruption, are losing out with this and can't be expected to like it. Every other country (and most other US networks that show soccer) have found ways to get advertising in in a less offensive way. Get a clue ESPN2! (And next time you're in a Radio Shack, hankering for a Budweiser or picking up a Sierra Mist, remember to mention to them how much you hate their ads obliterating your soccer game.)
Chicago keeps trying, with forward Nate Jaqua looking especially dangerous in the first 20 minutes. But the Revs are using their five-man midfield to smother the Fire efforts. Chicago is bringing its most physical game, and both taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston are getting manhandled. Not that I'm worried, this is exactly the kind of scrappy game that the Revs excel at.
The Fire's Stewart looks especially good as the first half winds down, with a close shot in the 45th and the 54th. Jaqua, unfortunately for Chicago, leaves injured as the first half ends. As the second half gets under way, Chicago control possession more. Shalrie Joseph seems to have disappeared from the game, pulling back too far into defense and ceding large parts of the midfield. The Revs are taking their foot off the gas way too soon for me. Barrett shoots hard from 18 yards in the 63rd, but Revs keeper Reis punches clear. A minute later Thiago forces another good save.
In the 68th, sensing the disarray, Revs coach Steve Nichols brings in Cancela , who imposes himself and settles the New England midfield. Gradually, the Revs regain possession and even start to come forward again, although the Chicago defense holds. As time winds down, the Revs fall back to defend, with Parkhurst and Heaps doing a good job.
In injury time, the Segares goal is disallowed and in the aftermath, Fire players crowd around the linesman and referee. Herron bumps one of the officials and gets a red card. The game ends a few moments later.
Let's face it, it wasn't the dominant performance you would like to see from New England. Twellman was off his game, Dempsey and Noonan were frustrated in their efforts as well. But the Revs defense did what it is famous for, and thwarted the last-gasp efforts of Chicago to win the game. It's on to the final for the Revolution, who will face a skillful Los Angeles Galaxy side in what one hopes will be an better game.
Chicago Fire attacker Gonzalo Segares is caught off on a very dangerous play in second-half injury time, and his potentially tying goal is called back, much to the chagrin of the Fire (especially a certain Herron.) The rules of the game are pretty clear, if you're behind the defense when the ball is played, and you gain an advantage from that position, you are offsides. Segares was fractionally off when the ball was chipped in by Thiago. A Revolution defender scrambled in to latch onto the ball, but Segares beat him to it and bundled the ball into the net, but the whistle had already blown and the linesman's flag was most definitely up.
The Fire brought their best game to Gillette on Sunday, and there was some element of luck to the Revs win. Chicago came out strong early, trying to impose their faster pace on the home team. Fortunately, the Revs used a quick re-start on a fourth-minute free kick to find Shalrie Joseph virtually alone in the area. His shot was steered in by Dempsey for an early goal. Riley did some nice work on the right hand side, his speed giving Chicago trouble at times.
As an aside, let me fulminate again about ESPN2's tremendously intrusive advertising. Something called "ESPN side-by-side" offers an advertisement that takes up a little more than half the screen and all the audio for 30 seconds or so while the game is shown in a small sliver of space. Apparently auto racing fans don't mind this imposition, since it replaced full-on breaks in the action. Soccer fans, who are used to watching games without interruption, are losing out with this and can't be expected to like it. Every other country (and most other US networks that show soccer) have found ways to get advertising in in a less offensive way. Get a clue ESPN2! (And next time you're in a Radio Shack, hankering for a Budweiser or picking up a Sierra Mist, remember to mention to them how much you hate their ads obliterating your soccer game.)
Chicago keeps trying, with forward Nate Jaqua looking especially dangerous in the first 20 minutes. But the Revs are using their five-man midfield to smother the Fire efforts. Chicago is bringing its most physical game, and both taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston are getting manhandled. Not that I'm worried, this is exactly the kind of scrappy game that the Revs excel at.
The Fire's Stewart looks especially good as the first half winds down, with a close shot in the 45th and the 54th. Jaqua, unfortunately for Chicago, leaves injured as the first half ends. As the second half gets under way, Chicago control possession more. Shalrie Joseph seems to have disappeared from the game, pulling back too far into defense and ceding large parts of the midfield. The Revs are taking their foot off the gas way too soon for me. Barrett shoots hard from 18 yards in the 63rd, but Revs keeper Reis punches clear. A minute later Thiago forces another good save.
In the 68th, sensing the disarray, Revs coach Steve Nichols brings in Cancela , who imposes himself and settles the New England midfield. Gradually, the Revs regain possession and even start to come forward again, although the Chicago defense holds. As time winds down, the Revs fall back to defend, with Parkhurst and Heaps doing a good job.
In injury time, the Segares goal is disallowed and in the aftermath, Fire players crowd around the linesman and referee. Herron bumps one of the officials and gets a red card. The game ends a few moments later.
Let's face it, it wasn't the dominant performance you would like to see from New England. Twellman was off his game, Dempsey and Noonan were frustrated in their efforts as well. But the Revs defense did what it is famous for, and thwarted the last-gasp efforts of Chicago to win the game. It's on to the final for the Revolution, who will face a skillful Los Angeles Galaxy side in what one hopes will be an better game.
Posted: Sun - November 6, 2005 at 11:46 PM
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Published On: Jun 13, 2006 12:00 AM
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Published On: Jun 13, 2006 12:00 AM