The Chicago Fire took the opening leg in their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against the New England Revolution, as Justin Mapp's first half free kick stood up as the only goal of the game Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park.
With 10 minutes to play before the halftime interval, a forward run from Chris Armas onto a through ball by C.J. Brown was brought to a halt when he was fouled by Jay Heaps. The Revolution defender was booked and the visitors were made to pay further for the foul when Mapp curled home the subsequent restart from 20 yards, hooking it over the wall and past Matt Reis inside the far post.
The Revolution began as the brighter of the two sides and could have taken the lead in the second minute. Shalrie Joseph, restored to the starting lineup after a five-game absence, released Steve Ralston on the right side. However, with Taylor Twellman unmarked at the far post, Ralston opted to go for goal himself and saw his shot saved by Matt Pickens.
Five minutes later, Twellman did get a shot away that was parried to his right by Pickens. Joe Franchino was first to the loose ball and the Revolution's captain's low cross was stabbed wide by Twellman, who was under pressure from Brown. The striker appealed for a penalty but Tim Weyland ignored the request.
The threats on their goal seemed to rouse the Fire and the hosts worked their way into the game in the middle part of the opening half as Armas and Ivan Guerrero got a foothold in central midfield. Ahead of them, Andy Herron was also becoming more involved and the Chicago striker was involved in a flashpoint in the 15th minute.
From a corner that Reis punched clear, Chris Rolfe was able to get a shot off that was deflected slightly. Reis made a diving save to his left but the ball appeared to squirm free for a second. Herron slid in and caught the Revolution goalkeeper, which earned him a yellow card.
Four minutes later, Herron had a more positive influence with a run on the right that was cut out only by an excellent piece of defending by Michael Parkhurst, who toed the ball away as the Fire striker looked to cut inside onto his left foot. The Fire pressure continued and Avery John had to make two key interceptions to keep the Revs goal intact.
First, in the 20th minute, the Trinidad and Tobago international was well-placed to clear a dangerous cross by Mapp before he threw himself in front of Nate Jaqua's on-target effort. In the 28th minute, Heaps was the man to rescue the Revolution with a key clearance from Jaqua's cross from the right. However, the Fire would have to wait just a few more minutes to take the lead as Mapp struck from the set piece.
New England almost leveled immediately when Heaps joined in an attack and got on the end of an excellent cross from Ralston. However, New England's luck in front of goal did not change as the goalbound header from the veteran defender hit Dempsey in the back and bounced away from Pickens' net.
The second half began with the Revolution showing renewed impetus in search for the equalizer. The white shirts dominated possession and territory but could not penetrate, with much of the early play in the period played in front of the Chicago backline. Indeed, but for a key challenge on Rolfe by Heaps, the home side could have doubled their lead.
In the 64th minute, New England did find a way to test Pickens but the young goalkeeper proved why he was worthy of the starting job with an excellent diving save, low to his left, to deny Twellman's diving header. The Revs' striker had another opportunity nine minutes later, but was unable to get a shot away before he was crowded out by men in red, after he pulled off Brown's back to find space to the left of goal.
Looking to force the issue further, Nicol introduced three substitutes including Jose Manuel Abundis. The Mexican international replaced Dempsey, whom was forced to leave the game with a right ankle injury, which he suffered in a challenge with Brown as he fired a shot wide from close range from Twellman's pass in the 78th minute.
Another Revolution replacement, Khano Smith, had two late chances to get the goal that his side possibly deserved on the balance of play. However, his volley in the final minute of regulation was pulled across goal, and then with three minutes of stoppage time played, the Bermudan got a shot on target that was saved by Pickens to ice the win for Dave Sarachan's side.
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
