MLS PLAYOFFS: Fire downs DC in Game 1

All eyes were on Cuauhtemoc Blanco but it was a more familiar face that gave Fire fans reason to celebrate on Thursday night.

Chris Rolfe's 14th-minute goal gave the Chicago Fire a 1-0 win over DC United in game one of their Eastern Conference playoff series. The series now shifts to DC, where United will play host to the Fire at RFK Stadium next Thursday.

Chicago's disciplined defense delivered another stellar performance, limiting DC to just two shots on goal. The Fire attack was more lively and coach Juan Carlos Osorio deserves credit for sitting ineffective forward Paulo Wanchope and moving Rolfe back to his natural forward position.

To be fair, DC United did start the match without Jaime Moreno and Luciano Emilio, who both came in nursing injuries. Moreno played the entire second half and looked dangerous while Emilio came on in the 76th minute and never did get going.

Should DC United be worried? Well, if they can't win by a goal at RFK Stadium in a decisive game they shouldn't advance anyway. I find it hard to believe DC's confidence will disappear after a close result. The question will be whether they will be able to break down Chicago's stingy and disciplined defense. I think they will and I really do see this series going to penalty kicks.

What did you think of tonight's match? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Ryan]

Wynalda is simply one of the worst announcers I've ever heard. We seriously need better people commentating our soccer games.

[AlexS]

Hell of a goal by Rolfe.

[adam]

i wish i could have seen it. i just say the highlights and that Rolfe goal was pretty nice.

As a USMNT fan I cant believe I find myself rooting for Blanco. He has got skill and has taken nicely to MLS.

Like Wynalda said, I cant believe he only has 3 yellow cards so far. a completely different player than what i expected.

[kpugs]

Pretty good match overall.

I can't believe that near-fight. Jaime Mor-dive-o came in on Conde's facepiece with a big fat elbo. Conde literally went sprawling and the ball touched Conde's hand. The ref called the foul on Jaime--which was bookable--and half the DC team were up in the ref's face screaming.

I've seen yellow cards for dissent given out for far less in the MLS and in Europe, and in this case there should have been one each for Jaime, Olsen and Gomez. Hand balls don't count when you purposely elbow a guy in the face, d-bags.

[kpugs]

Typical DC. When your team is that good you shouldn't need to cheat but they always do.

[Nath]

Great win for FIRE tonight, I expect NY to do the same but with more goals.

NYRB or FIRE should make it to the final. I'm praying hard.

Go redbulls!

[Matt Y]

Uh...for those of you saying that Wynalda is an idiot..he called the goal right before it happened.

Said.."i see a defensive mistake leading to a goal." 1 minute later...goal...DC mistake.

Ives, Chicago barely touched the ball the last 60 minutes and resorted to kick ball the last 30...

Not sure why you are so impressed with Chicago.

It's sad when the only positive you can say about a team was that they were "organized in the back". That usually means that a team is devoid of any skill and since they didn't think they could play even up with their opponent...they pack it in and "organize" well in the back.

Chicago won't win this series..DC will either win or lose it.

[Ives]

Matt, just for the record, you're a DC fan right?

And where did I write that I was so impressed with the Fire? They won the game and held DC to two shots on goal. Sure, they didn't knock it around like Arsenal but they did neutralize DC. It wasn't as if DC had a ton of shots on goal and just missed chances. They didn't create chances.

And Matt, I picked DC to win the series, so I'm not sure where you're getting the whole "Chicago Love" vibe from.

[papa bear]

Great win by Chicago. I believe they are 11-0 all time in goal differential against DC in the playoffs and I see no reason for that to change.
DC simply never matches up well against Chicago. Unlike most teams we kinda build ourselves with an eye towards beating DC since they are traditionally the strongest team. It has worked so far and there is no evidence anyone can point to that suggests that will change.

Matt: be happy 4 of your boys didn't see yellow for that embarrassing display after the attack on Conde by that shameful excuse of a footballer Jaime Moreno.

I'm hoping for RBNY v. Chicago in the conference finals and I hope Chivas makes it out west. Gotta get more people in these big markets on board. MLS Cup could help bump those numbers.

[John]

A number of people have made the argument that Emilio is less deserving of the MVP award because he just made a good team better but United would have been successful without him. Last night it sure looked like DC couldn't score in a brothel without Emilio.

[Chi Town Fire Fan]

As one of the lucky 17,000+ fans there last night I found DC tactics to be disgraceful. They obviously were trying to get to Blanco with the amount of fouls that were committed on him. Yes a couple were questionable but there were a half dozen or so that weren't called. Before the game I turned to my girlfriend and explained my thoughts on the ref's past poor performances I had seen and he did nothing to prove me wrong. I do not know how DC got away without a red card for the elbow or more yellows for dissent. I hope not to see this ref again.

[Luis]

For all those who think DC was lucky to escape without yellows, I'm not quite sure what you were watching, but the diving display put on by the Fire, and Blanco in particular was disgraceful and shames the game. The fact that Blanco didn't get a yellow at some point for diving, let alone accumulate enough for a red is amazing. Thing's won't fall so easily on the return leg.

[kpugs]

Matt Y: "I see a defensive mistake leading to a goal?"

GENIUS!!!!! How did he ever come up with that! No way! How could a goal possibly come after a defensive mistake!!! Is Wynalda part of MENSA?

See where I'm going with this?

[kpugs]

Luis...take off your black hat and put on a neutral one. I HATE Blanco but he's the most fouled player in the league.

Between that, Rolfe getting EYE-SLAPPED by Fred and the elbow-to-face from Jaime to Conde, what game were YOU watching? Oh I know, the game where DC is perfect and f everyone else. Just like the rest of their fans.

[Sandro]

The atmosphere of the game was electric. Chicago played pretty well but like the announcers said they should have gone after more goals given that DC had a few people hurt. Hope the Red Bull game has the same atmosphere this Saturday. DC will have a better showing next game and I don't expect the same play from them.

[Murphy]

i just watched the highlights but rolfe's goal is the kind of finishing we need to see in this league. even though it was a defensive error that gave him the opportunity, rolfe hit that ball perfectly. i really hope he continues to get better.

and blanco is fun to watch, and the crowd seemed into it. that looked like a really good time.

[Joamiq]

The Fire really needed a second goal. I can't see DC not pulling this one out.

If it is tied, do they play extra time or go straight to PKs?

[Joamiq]

Ah, never mind. ET it is.

[Ryan]

Sorry, I thought everyone watching the game heard Wynalda's idiotic California reference. He definitely should be pulled from broadcasting for that one.

[Paul Lorinczi]

I was at the game yesterday. It was electric!

We watched from the Fire suite and I was able to chat with Justin Mapp. He is running again.

My observations...

1. Chad Barrett is playing himself out of a job. He is mentally too weak at this level. His play was not bad except for his final decision.

He did a great job on the byline in the 2nd half only to pass the ball between three of his teammates.

2-0 the Fire would be sitting in a better spot heading back to DC.

2. Fire need more forwards.

Congratulations to the Fire fans. The stadium was electric. The fire house was on fire the whole game.

I was at a game in August and the different this time was the whole crowd got into some of the chanting, not just the Firehouse.

I loved that whistling at the end of the game.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it feels like Football is finally coming to this country.

And, we know there will be more of the same in DC.

Great series. I don't think the 1 goal advantage is to Chicago's benefit right now.

[Matt M.]

I was also at the game last night. As far as the fouling and flopping: Everybody plays for their own advantage, getting away with what they can. Were the DC players hacking away at Blanco from behind? Yes. Was Blanco faking and hoping the ref would fall for it? Yes.

So yes and yes. It's a problem that all of soccer must deal with, it's not just bad DC and yea Chicago or vice versa.