MLS PLAYOFFS: Chicago Fire at New England Revolution (Running Commentary)

Good evening folks. We will find out the first qualifier for the MLS Cup final tonight when Chicago faces New England in the Eastern Conference Final. I will be doing a running commentary on the match and you can follow along and add your comments here.

Let's have some fun. Fire away.

---------------------------

FINAL- That's all for tonight folks. Thanks for following along and feel free to share your thoughts on the match below. Good night.

---------------------------

FINAL- REVS 1, FIRE 0. Twellman's bicycle kick does it and Chicago's misfiring forwards cost the Fire tonight.

---------------------------

92nd minute- The Revs have this one in the bag.

---------------------------

91st minute- Calen Carr with a header right at Reis.

Joseph strips Conde in the penalty area.

---------------------------

88th minute- Calen Carr has entered the match for Logan Pause. He should have come in much sooner.

---------------------------

85th minute- Rolfe with a good shot that forces a diving save from Reis. Chicago can't do anything with the corner.

---------------------------

82nd minute- James Riley in for Wells Thompson. Defense for offense at just the right time. Chicago is starting to get more of the ball and create more. Can Blanco or Wanchope muster some magic?

PICKENS with a great save on Noonan.

---------------------------

80th minute- Mapp has touched the ball about four times and hit the ground three times. He doesn't look good.

---------------------------

77th minute- Justin Mapp comes in for Chad Barrett. Mapp hasn't played since August. Gutsy move by Osorio.

---------------------------

75th minute- Avery John with a foul on Rolfe. How John doesn't have a yellow card yet is beyond me.

---------------------------

74th minute- Blanco with a beautiful ball to Barrett in the area and Barrett's touch is awful. Barrett is having an ugly game.

Segares with a nice shot forcing a good Reis save.

---------------------------

73rd minute- What's with the coaches holding on to subs tonight? Where is Adam Cristman? Noonan has been bad and should come out.

---------------------------

71st minute- He's been quiet but Jeff Larentowicz has been solid tonight.

---------------------------

67th minute- When will the Fire bring it Calen Carr?

---------------------------

62nd minute- How long has it been since Noonan was truly dangerous? A few years?

And for my all my criticism of Wanchope I think Barrett has actually had a worse game.

---------------------------

59th minute- Terrible in the second half. A better play from Wanchope in the area.

---------------------------

58th minute- Wanchope has been terrible. He needs to come out of the match.

---------------------------

52nd minute- With Blanco being ineffective, the Fire doesn't have many answers offensively. It is tough to tell where a goal will come from here. If the Revs can avoid any more dangerous free kicks they look in very good shape to advance.

---------------------------

48th minute- Osorio replaces Robinson with Gutierrez. Interesting sub. Gutierrez is experienced and a smart player but his speed isn't what it used to be.

---------------------------

46th minute- And we're back.

---------------------------

HALFTIME- Revs 1, Fire 0. A pretty entertaining first half. Chicago needs to come up with better ideas offensively and need Blanco to get more involved. The Revs are playing well but I see them giving up some good chances in the second half. The question is whether Chicago fan finish any of them.

---------------------------

47th minute- Twellman almost makes it 2-0 but misses wide. Dasan Robinson is STRUGGLING with Twellman.

---------------------------

45th minute- How good is Shalrie Joseph? It would really be interesting to see how he would do in the EPL. He is a cut above the MLS pack.

---------------------------

43rd minute- The Fire looks a bit lost lately. I think you'll see Calen Carr come in for Wanchope at halftime. Chicago coach Juan Carlos Osorio needs to do something.

---------------------------

40th minute- It was going to take something special to beat Chicago's defense and Twellman just delivered it. I wonder how Chicago will react.

---------------------------

38th minute- GOAL REVOLUTION. Taylor Twellman with a bicycle kick from close range. Wow.

---------------------------

35th minute-- The Fire with a beautiful counterattack that Michael Parkhurst halts by stopping Chad Barrett.

---------------------------

33rd minute- Blanco with a weak free kick that should have been more dangerous.

---------------------------

29th minute- Wanchope with a free header that he sends wide. Wanchope is finding chances, but he is also wasting them.

---------------------------

28th minute- The Revs' wingers, Khano Smith and Wells Thompson, need to do more than put their head down and try to run past people. It isn't working tonight.

---------------------------

26th minute- Rolfe is down after taking a Larentowicz clearance to the head. Can the Revs have concussed the opposition's top goal-scoring threat for the second straight match?

---------------------------

24th minute- Love Blanco or hate him, the guy is crafty. New England has done well early on to keep the ball away from him.

---------------------------

21st minute- Twellman has been very active and getting some good looks at goal. Chicago's defense has been a bit loose.

---------------------------

17th minute- Matt Pickens with a clutch diving save on a Twellman header. That was a sure goal before Pickens' came through.

---------------------------

15th minute- Wouldn't you love it if Steve Nicol wore a mic for the game? That would be a must-listen.

---------------------------

13th minute- Wanchope with a decent chance that goes wide. The Revs had better stop giving him so much space.

---------------------------

10th minute- Paulo Wanchope clashes heads with Avery John but he looks okay.

---------------------------

7th minute- Parkhurst with a nice goal-line clearance of a CJ Brown header. The Fire is putting some attacking pressure on. No bunkering here.

---------------------------

6th minute- Wanchope looks good early on.

---------------------------

4th minute- It looks like Joseph has gotten the assignment of staying on Blanco. I wonder if Blanco is ready to do his part defensively.

---------------------------

2nd minute- The Revs with some early possession. It is clear early on that the cold weather is going to make for a slow match, well at least the first 15 minutes or so until everyone gets warmed up.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- Cuauhtemoc Blanco looks pumped up.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- Shalrie Jamal David Joseph.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- Nice to see Fire fans making the trip for this game.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- Allen Hopkins sporting some OJ Simpson gloves.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- The Revs starting lineup is the same it has been. The Fire's is very different, with Paulo Wanchope getting the call up top again. I had a feeling we would see the Costa Rican legend tonight. I know Fire fans won't be happy but Wanchope has played in big matches and just might have some magic left.

Here are the starting lineups:

REVS

-----------Twellman----------Noonan---------------

Smith---------------Ralston-----------------Thompson

---------------Joseph-------Larentowicz-------------

John----------------Parkhurst----------------Heaps

-----------------------Reis-----------------------------

FIRE

------------Barrett------------Wanchope-------------

Conde---------------Blanco--------------------Rolfe

-------------Pause----------Armas--------------------

Segares------------Brown----------------Robinson

---------------------Pickens-----------------------------

PRE-GAME- Yes Red Bulls fans, they really just showed the Angel concussion video again. Feel free to wipe the puke from your mouth.

---------------------

PRE-GAME- Blanco with a pre-game interview. I wonder how he will handle the cold weather tonight.

---------------------

PRE-GAME- The game is still about 20 minutes from starting. As some of you may know, I'm picking Chicago tonight. The Fire is rolling right now.

---------------------

---------------------------

FINAL- That's all for tonight folks. Thanks for following along and feel free to share your thoughts on the match below. Good night.

---------------------------

FINAL- REVS 1, FIRE 0. Twellman's bicycle kick does it and Chicago's misfiring forwards cost the Fire tonight.

---------------------------

92nd minute- The Revs have this one in the bag.

---------------------------

91st minute- Calen Carr with a header right at Reis.

Joseph strips Conde in the penalty area.

---------------------------

88th minute- Calen Carr has entered the match for Logan Pause. He should have come in much sooner.

---------------------------

85th minute- Rolfe with a good shot that forces a diving save from Reis. Chicago can't do anything with the corner.

---------------------------

82nd minute- James Riley in for Wells Thompson. Defense for offense at just the right time. Chicago is starting to get more of the ball and create more. Can Blanco or Wanchope muster some magic?

PICKENS with a great save on Noonan.

---------------------------

80th minute- Mapp has touched the ball about four times and hit the ground three times. He doesn't look good.

---------------------------

77th minute- Justin Mapp comes in for Chad Barrett. Mapp hasn't played since August. Gutsy move by Osorio.

---------------------------

75th minute- Avery John with a foul on Rolfe. How John doesn't have a yellow card yet is beyond me.

---------------------------

74th minute- Blanco with a beautiful ball to Barrett in the area and Barrett's touch is awful. Barrett is having an ugly game.

Segares with a nice shot forcing a good Reis save.

---------------------------

73rd minute- What's with the coaches holding on to subs tonight? Where is Adam Cristman? Noonan has been bad and should come out.

---------------------------

71st minute- He's been quiet but Jeff Larentowicz has been solid tonight.

---------------------------

67th minute- When will the Fire bring it Calen Carr?

---------------------------

62nd minute- How long has it been since Noonan was truly dangerous? A few years?

And for my all my criticism of Wanchope I think Barrett has actually had a worse game.

---------------------------

59th minute- Terrible in the second half. A better play from Wanchope in the area.

---------------------------

58th minute- Wanchope has been terrible. He needs to come out of the match.

---------------------------

52nd minute- With Blanco being ineffective, the Fire doesn't have many answers offensively. It is tough to tell where a goal will come from here. If the Revs can avoid any more dangerous free kicks they look in very good shape to advance.

---------------------------

48th minute- Osorio replaces Robinson with Gutierrez. Interesting sub. Gutierrez is experienced and a smart player but his speed isn't what it used to be.

---------------------------

46th minute- And we're back.

---------------------------

HALFTIME- Revs 1, Fire 0. A pretty entertaining first half. Chicago needs to come up with better ideas offensively and need Blanco to get more involved. The Revs are playing well but I see them giving up some good chances in the second half. The question is whether Chicago fan finish any of them.

---------------------------

47th minute- Twellman almost makes it 2-0 but misses wide. Dasan Robinson is STRUGGLING with Twellman.

---------------------------

45th minute- How good is Shalrie Joseph? It would really be interesting to see how he would do in the EPL. He is a cut above the MLS pack.

---------------------------

43rd minute- The Fire looks a bit lost lately. I think you'll see Calen Carr come in for Wanchope at halftime. Chicago coach Juan Carlos Osorio needs to do something.

---------------------------

40th minute- It was going to take something special to beat Chicago's defense and Twellman just delivered it. I wonder how Chicago will react.

---------------------------

38th minute- GOAL REVOLUTION. Taylor Twellman with a bicycle kick from close range. Wow.

---------------------------

35th minute-- The Fire with a beautiful counterattack that Michael Parkhurst halts by stopping Chad Barrett.

---------------------------

33rd minute- Blanco with a weak free kick that should have been more dangerous.

---------------------------

29th minute- Wanchope with a free header that he sends wide. Wanchope is finding chances, but he is also wasting them.

---------------------------

28th minute- The Revs' wingers, Khano Smith and Wells Thompson, need to do more than put their head down and try to run past people. It isn't working tonight.

---------------------------

26th minute- Rolfe is down after taking a Larentowicz clearance to the head. Can the Revs have concussed the opposition's top goal-scoring threat for the second straight match?

---------------------------

24th minute- Love Blanco or hate him, the guy is crafty. New England has done well early on to keep the ball away from him.

---------------------------

21st minute- Twellman has been very active and getting some good looks at goal. Chicago's defense has been a bit loose.

---------------------------

17th minute- Matt Pickens with a clutch diving save on a Twellman header. That was a sure goal before Pickens' came through.

---------------------------

15th minute- Wouldn't you love it if Steve Nicol wore a mic for the game? That would be a must-listen.

---------------------------

13th minute- Wanchope with a decent chance that goes wide. The Revs had better stop giving him so much space.

---------------------------

10th minute- Paulo Wanchope clashes heads with Avery John but he looks okay.

---------------------------

7th minute- Parkhurst with a nice goal-line clearance of a CJ Brown header. The Fire is putting some attacking pressure on. No bunkering here.

---------------------------

6th minute- Wanchope looks good early on.

---------------------------

4th minute- It looks like Joseph has gotten the assignment of staying on Blanco. I wonder if Blanco is ready to do his part defensively.

---------------------------

2nd minute- The Revs with some early possession. It is clear early on that the cold weather is going to make for a slow match, well at least the first 15 minutes or so until everyone gets warmed up.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- Cuauhtemoc Blanco looks pumped up.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- Shalrie Jamal David Joseph.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- Nice to see Fire fans making the trip for this game.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- Allen Hopkins sporting some OJ Simpson gloves.

---------------------------

PRE-GAME- The Revs starting lineup is the same it has been. The Fire's is very different, with Paulo Wanchope getting the call up top again. I had a feeling we would see the Costa Rican legend tonight. I know Fire fans won't be happy but Wanchope has played in big matches and just might have some magic left.

Here are the starting lineups:

REVS

-----------Twellman----------Noonan---------------

Smith---------------Ralston-----------------Thompson

---------------Joseph-------Larentowicz-------------

John----------------Parkhurst----------------Heaps

-----------------------Reis-----------------------------

FIRE

------------Barrett------------Wanchope-------------

Conde---------------Blanco--------------------Rolfe

-------------Pause----------Armas--------------------

Segares------------Brown----------------Robinson

---------------------Pickens-----------------------------

PRE-GAME- Yes Red Bulls fans, they really just showed the Angel concussion video again. Feel free to wipe the puke from your mouth.

---------------------

PRE-GAME- Blanco with a pre-game interview. I wonder how he will handle the cold weather tonight.

---------------------

PRE-GAME- The game is still about 20 minutes from starting. As some of you may know, I'm picking Chicago tonight. The Fire is rolling right now.

---------------------

Comments

[MemRook]

Anyone having any luck finding online streams for this game? Thanks.

[MemRook]

Ok. Answered my own question. http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=1772&part=sports

Thought I'd share. Have to have sopcast though.

[BoB]

Wanchope?! NOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo

[MemRook]

Wanchope?! YEEEEEEEESSSS (NE fan.) lol.

[Ives]

Be careful what you wish for Mem, I think Wanchope's going to surprise some people tonight.

[MemRook]

aw crap! When Ives has a "feeling" about something, he often is right (Memories of a few correct Ives predictions during USMNT running commentaries come to mind).

[MemRook]

TT's "32 credits" comment made me chuckle.

[Dan]

I've decided to skip Smallville tonight, what with this being the playoffs and all; I can't really root for either of these teams right now, so I just hope for a good game (which I doubt I'll see).

Don't you love playofs in 30 degree weather; and can't you just wait to see what it is like if/when Toronto gets to host a playoff game in November.

[MemRook]

wells thompson with a nice beat on the right and then the stupid out of bounds dribble????

[Dan]

Also, Twellman and Blanco are 2 of my most 3 hated players in the league right now.

[MemRook]

Whose your third, Dan?

I can see Blanco for his antics (trying to draw foul on every single play) and TT for his tremendous inability to finish a shot strong or with conviction (or even finish at all).

[Dan]

Jaime Moreno.

It's nice to see the fire starting out the game like this.

[AlexS]

Dan: Jaime Moreno? Where's Ruiz in that list?

[MemRook]

Shalrie Joseph is brilliant to watch.

[MemRook]

man I hate those sweeping over the field camera angles! it's so disorienting to watch.

[Dan]

As a Red Bulls/US Nats fan, there's a lot more personally invested into my dislike of those 3 players.

[DCM]

Mem,
I'm with you on the overhead camera cr^p. It makes we nearly puke most of the time, plus I can't follow the action at all.

[Dan]

I wasn't even paying all that much attention to the camera angles, but now that you mentioned it, I'm finding it very distracting.

[Blanco keeps whining]

gotta love that comment by khano smith directed at blanco...

[MemRook]

I feel like the camera guys at the game are playing with newly unwrapped toys they just recieved at christmas. surely the soccer production crew for espn rarely get to use such expensive equipment.

[MemRook]

Twellman: too many touches when less would be better. Two few touches when more would better.

Still, for all the grief I'm giving him, I see him being the difference in this game.

[Blanco keeps whining]

that stupid skycam camera interfered with a game a few weeks ago when the ball hit it during a play and the ref had to stop play and restart with a drop ball

[rpks08]

That turf is terrible, it is not as fast as Toronto, but faster than New Yorks. Atleast they painted the lines over.

[DCM]

Anyone else get hit with a message when attempting to post a comment about blocking a spam comment?

[Blanco keeps whining]

i'm all for technology when it works (i.e. 1st & 10 line in american football), but the skycam just doesn't for a soccer game. i do like how espn sometimes uses that 1st & 10 line technology to check a replay on a close offsides call.