Fire Player Ratings: (1-10 with 10 Being the Highest)

Busch: 6.0 - A steady and calm match from the keeper. His distribution, despite the conditions, was solid.

Prideaux: 6.5 - A couple of lapses in concentration at the end of the match did not cost the team but his ability to support the attack while keeping the attackers at bay was vital to keeping a clean sheet.

Brown: 6.5 - A solid match that allowed the veteran defender to play to his strengths as referee Terry Vaughn allowed for some extra contact.

Robinson: 6.5 - Did not take any wild gambles and kept the Chivas USA forwards from any clear attempts.

Banner: 7.0 – Another strong game as he was able to wiggle out of pressure and tight spaces to allow the Fire maintain possession.

Pause: 6.5 - A typical match from Pause. Looked for the forward pass several times while never losing the ball in a dangerous spot. A hard tackle from him would have been great as the referee was letting a lot go without a whistle.

Pappa: 5.5 - Crossing and decision making improved greatly from previous matches but was a non-factor in the second half.

Nyarko: 6.5 – Seems to be more comfortable on the right than up top. His crossing was sufficient but overall he lacked the vision to find the killer final pass.

Husidic: 5.5 – An up and down night. He scored a near goal in the first half and did well and transition but faded in controlling the tempo of the match.

McBride: 6.0 – Battled in the air all night and was responsible for a lot of the Fire’s possession and build up in the first half. Was a real threat on set pieces too.

Rolfe: 6.5 - Displayed great vision and touch in the first half. His instinct to shoot first is a definite plus for a player of his striking ability but was lost for most of the second half although the shift to left midfield and a bunker mentality does not play to his strengths.

Subs:
Blanco: 6.0 – His corner kick led to the own goal and although he had a few touches and nice passes, he didn’t light up the field.

Woolard: 5.0 – Had some garbage minutes to solidify the defense and midfield to shore up the win.

Coaching
Hamlett: 5.5 – The 3 points was the goal so mission accomplished. The Blanco substitution was the absolute right time as the Fire needed some emotional lift. However, the bunker mentality that came to life with only a 1-0 lead is not championship team material. Although the insertion of Blanco was correct, he and McBride do not complement each other at forward. That mindset and tactics will lead to an early playoff exit.