MLS New England Revolution

Revs drop 2-0 decision to Chicago

Published on September 26, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Chicago, Ill. - The New England Revolution (6-12-9, 27 pts.) lost 2-0 to the Chicago Fire (8-11-8, 32 pts.) and fell five points behind their Eastern Conference foe for the fourth and final playoff position. Costa Rican international forward Andy Herron scored both goals for Chicago in his first start for the Fire.

New England came out on the attack early with midfielder Richie Baker failing to finish an excellent scoring chance in just the 2nd minute of the game. Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey played a through ball to Baker from that put Baker in one-on-one with Chicago goalkeeper Henry Ring. As the keeper came off his line, Baker's shot deflected off of Ring and out toward the right flank. Dempsey received the ball again and took a shot on goal. Ring, however, made a second consecutive save.

It would be Chicago who would get on the board first when Fire newcomer Herron scored his first career MLS goal in the 7th minute of the match. Fire midfielder Nate Jaqua served the ball into the area from the right flank, where Chicago captain Chris Armas was making a late run toward the right post. With no New England defenders in the area, Armas drew Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis off his line and then passed the ball across the area to Herron who was running on to the left post. Herron one-touched a shot behind Reis to score his first MLS goal and put the Fire up 1-0.

In the 22nd minute, Chicago had another opportunity when Fire forward Damani Ralph received a ball from ball from the center channel to the right flank. While the New England defense appealed for an offside call, Ralph continued to run in toward the goal. Reis was again left solo and came off his line to cut off Ralph's angle. This time, however, Reis was successful in a slide sliding to take the ball off of Ralph's feet and Reis was able to recover quicker than Ralph and clear the ball out over the sideline.

Both teams traded possession throughout the rest of the first half, but no one was able to connect with the back of the net and the teams left the field at the half with the Fire ahead 1-0.

In the 51st minute, New England got close again with midfielder Shalrie Joseph created a good attacking move out of the midfield. Joseph passed the ball into the area where Revs forward Taylor Twellman was able flick the ball on to strike partner Pat Noonan. Noonan took a first time shot that sailed just over the crossbar.

In the 54th minute, the Fire had an opportunity to double their lead off a corner kick. Chicago midfielder Andy Williams served the corner kick from the left side. Reis, hoever, was able to rise above the crowd and punch the ball. The deflection, however, fell into the area in a crowd of Chicago players. Dempsey was able to win the ball and dribble out of the area up the left side toward the midfield. As he crossed the midfield line, Armas tackled the MLS Rookie of the Year candidate and earned a yellow card from referee Kevin Stott. With the yellow card, Armas accumulated more than 21 caution points and will be suspended from the Fire's contest at Columbus next Saturday.

The Revs had an opportunity to get on the board in the 57th minute when midfielder Brian Kamler served a ball in to the area from the left flank. The ball was knicked down by the Fire defense at the penalty spot to the feet of Twellman. Twellman took a first time blast at the goalmouth, but Ring was well positioned to stop the shot.

With the Fire trying to clear the ball out of the New England area, Armas received a ball and turned toward the midfield. Dempsey tried to disposses Armas on the turn and both players fell to the ground. Stott gave Dempsey a yellow card caution in the 68th minute that puts the Texas native over the caution points limit, forcing Dempsey to miss the Revs match against Dallas next Saturday through a one game suspension.

The Fire doubled their lead in the 77th minute when Herron scored his second goal of the match. Williams controlled the ball in the right flank, before passing a ball out to the sideline to Armas. Armas angled a cross in front of the goalmouth to Herron was standing in front of the left post. As Reis tried to move his position to the far post, Herron one-touched the ball toward the back right corner of the net to put the Fire ahead 2-0.

With both teams fighting for the Eastern Conference playoff spot, the scoring was finished for the evening and the Fire got the home win. The Revolution will return home to host the Dallas Burn at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 2. The game will be broadcast live on FSNNE and can be heard live on WRKO 680AM and streaming live on revolutionsoccer.net.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 26, 2004


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