MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Defeats New England 2-1 to Tie Series at Three Points

Published on September 29, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


Naperville, IL (Sunday, September 29, 2002) - The Chicago Fire defeated the Eastern Conference champion New England Revolution 2-1 tonight in Game Two of the MLS Cup Playoffs Quarterfinals presented by Budweiser in front of 9,434 fans at Cardinal Stadium in Naperville, IL. Fire all-time leading scorer Ante Razov drilled New England for two goals, tying a Fire playoff record. The Fire has now tied the "First to Five" playoff series at three points each.

"It was a much better effort on our part," said Fire Head Coach Bob Bradley. "That is what I would like to think what we have been about over the years. The response from the first game was a good, strong one. That is due to the leadership of guys like Peter (Nowak), Hristo (Stoitchkov), Jesse (Marsch), and others. That is the most important thing that happened today. The other part that is nice is that it required really sticking in there. As has been the case this year, nothing has come easy for us."

The Fire took the lead in the 76th minute. Fire rookie Kelly Gray knifed through the defense to feed Razov with the set-up pass and the U.S. international blasted home the game-winning goal past a diving Revolution goalkeeper Adin Brown to send the series to a third and decisive game.

"We played so well tonight that we could have scored more goals," said Razov. "Tonight the real team showed up. We didn't show up in Boston and they punished us. It is good to get a win. I was able to one-touch Kelly's nice pass and get the win."

The Fire's midfield dynamo Dema Kovalenko sent in a low cross into the box to an onrushing Razov after collecting a beautiful long-ball from all-star defender C.J. Brown, in the 42nd minute. Razov was promptly taken down by defender Jay Heaps and referee Ricardo Valenzuela immediately called the penalty kick. A minute later the hard-nosed forward calmly stepped up and slotted the spot kick into the low right corner to tie the game 1-1.

In the 28th minute, New England's Brian Kamler ran onto the loose ball as it bounced into the Fire's box and blasted a low left-footed shot off the far post and into the back of the net.

In injury time of the match, Llamosa kicked Kovalenko in the back of his right leg and the U.S. World Cup veteran was issued his second yellow card of the game resulting in a red card and ejection from the game. Llamosa is suspended for Game Three and the Revolution will be without its defensive leader.

"We just battled the entire game and just finished our chances," said Gray. "It was a big change from (Game One). We were beating them to loose balls, getting stuck in, fighting, and taking advantage of our chances."

The Fire defense shut down New England's high-powered attack only allowing one shot on goal and none from MLS' leading scorer Taylor Twellman. The back-line of Brown, Jim Curtin, and Carlos Bocanegra clamped down on the Revolution.

"New England came out tough," said Bocanegra. "We did not expect them to come out as fast. We stood up to them and we kept pounding on them. We had a good effort from everyone on the team. We won the 50/50 balls and we kept the momentum going through halftime."

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 29, 2002


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