which was the same number Tony Meola made a year ago in the 3-1 second leg result, both totals matching a club mark for stops by an opposing 'keeper. "We know we can create chances against them, we just have to take them. So as long as we're patient and we have the sense to go about it the right way, I'm sure we'll create more chances and this time we have no choice, we have to take them." ... As the week progressed, Clint Dempsey was downgraded to doubtful, meaning Andy Dorman will likely return to the playmaking role behind a front two of Twellman and Abundis. "I felt like we were always pressing them in their half. I was trying to get close to (Tony) Sanneh and block off his passing lanes," he said. "I was trying to press up a bit and get level with Taylor (Twellman) and Clint (Dempsey) when they had the ball at the back and I think we did that pretty well. We got a few turnovers and had a lot of the ball."
FIRE UPDATE: Throughout the regular season series, the home team hadn't seen success. But the Fire changed that in the first leg when they came away with a victory. "We did not want to go to New England even or behind. We accomplished our goal and kept a clean sheet," said Chris Armas. "We have managed to get results in Gillette Stadium this year, I think two wins. We know what it feels like to go over there and win, so hopefully we go over there and win or tie." ... Making his first playoff start -- Zach Thornton had started every one of the Fire's previous 31 postseason games -- Matt Pickens did his part with eight saves, tying a club playoff record. "I thought we did well. I think we limited their services and when they got services into the box, we did well to dig up the second ball," Pickens said. "That was really the game plan for us defensively and I thought that when we got that goal in, we didn't sit in. Which is good - we don't want to sit in with those guys because they will pump in balls all day." ... Two of the past three years, the two clubs have met in a winner-take-all conference championship -- each winning on their home ground. This is the first time they met in the home-and-home format, but Fire boss Dave Sarachan the approach still has to be the same. "We'll go into New England with a similar mindset as we've done all year when we're on the road. It doesn't mean we sit back and think we're going to win this 1-0. If you do, you're crazy. You have to go in with the mindset that it's 0-0 and take it from there." ... That also led to the Fire tactics once they scored. "Obviously as a team we wanted the second goal and to get a little greedy, but in a series like this you have to be cautious, so you don't compromise the game and give them the opportunity to get the goal back. To keep a zero at home with Matt [Pickens] in goal and our defending group, I thought they did an outstanding job."
