just minutes after the U.S. international fullback had hit the crossbar on a nearly identical play.
But the Fire hit for the equalizer four minutes before full time, Jim Curtin rising up to get on the end of a Thiago free kick swerved into the box and heading past Kevin Hartman in the Galaxy goal.
Then on Saturday, the Fire got a late penalty to put the playoff hopes of the defending MLS Cup champions in real jeopardy in a 2-1 victory.
Chicago got off to a dream start, striking after just 33 seconds. Tony Sanneh flighted a long ball down the left flank, and Justin Mapp looped a cross to the back post where Chris Rolfe came sliding in to knock it home. It was the second-fastest goal in Fire history, and equaled the ninth-fastest in MLS history.
Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens was called upon to make 10 saves on the evening, and he kept the Galaxy off the board until the 78th minute when Landon Donovan collected a pass at the edge of the area and lashed home the equalizer. The Galaxy had lost just once in six previous league matches when Donovan scores.
But just six minutes later the Fire again nosed in front. Tyrone Marshall pulled down Andy Herron inside the area, and referee Hilario Grajeda pointed to the spot. Herron neatly converted for his sixth goal in his last eight games for the Fire, ensuring Chicago would be the second team in the East to reach the postseason.
Here's Sarachan's team (3-4-1-2): Matt Pickens - C.J. Brown, Tony Sanneh, Dasan Robinson - Justin Mapp (Leonard Griffin 88), Chris Armas, Diego Gutierrez, Gonzalo Segares - Thiago (Logan Pause 81) - Chris Rolfe (Jim Curtin 91+), Andy Herron. [Substitutes Not Used: Calen Carr, Ryan Johnson, David Mahoney, Brian Plotkin]
Here's Yallop's team (4-4-2): Kevin Hartman - Chris Albright, Ugo Ihemelu, Tyrone Marshall, Ante Jazic - Cobi Jones (Quavas Kirk 66), Peter Vagenas, Paulo Nagamura (Stefani Miglioranzi 76), Santino Quaranta - Alan Gordon (Herculez Gomez 56), Landon Donovan. [Substitutes Not Used: Steve Cronin, Michael Enfield, Josh Gardner, Kyle Veris]
The teams have also met twice in the MLS Cup Playoffs. In 1998, the Fire won both games in the Western Conference Finals, winning 1-0 at home before taking a victory by shootout in the second match at Soldier Field on their way to a victory in the MLS Cup Final in their inaugural season.
The clubs then battled in a hard-fought semifinal series in 2001 with all three matches going to extra time. They played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Chicago, the Galaxy then winning 1-0 at home before clinching a place in MLS Cup with a 2-1 victory in Chicago - which they lost in extra time to San Jose.
In all competitions, the all-time series between the clubs is exactly level: each has won 15 matches (each winning one by shootout), with four draws). The Fire have scored 43 goals, the Galaxy 39.
