With the Chicago Fire needing to win by two goals to advance through the conference finals, the team did exactly that through the gritty return of John Thorrington, the magic of Cuauthemoc Blanco, and a team defense that refused to surrender.

During the post game conference, Fire coach Denis Hamlett admitted that Thorrington rolled his ankle in practice on Tuesday and was questionable for the match. However, the midfielder’s two month absence would not be marred further by injury as he ran the entire match providing gut-busting runs into the box as well as defensive pressure to stifle a Revolution midfield that controlled the match last week. His early goal was well-taken and well deserved by another player that ignited the squad: Marco Pappa.

Although Pappa and Blanco controlled most of the Fire attack, the home side found little possession or opportunities in the first 10 minutes. Once Blanco was allowed to drop back into more of an attacking midfielder role, the chances started. It was Blanco’s cross in the box to Chris Rolfe that could have been the Fire’s first goal, but an alert play by Kevin Alston thwarted the chance. It was one of many stand out plays by the New England defender throughout the game.

Controversy joined the match in the 18th minute when Kenny Mansally shouldered Blanco in the chest to plant him on the ground. Although that would be a foul and possibly a yellow card if Blanco had the ball, it was nowhere in the vicinity of the incident. A red card would not have been out of the question for Mansally.

That moment of aggression was followed by New England’s best chance as Edgar Jankauskas met Sainey Nyassi’s cross but the effort caromed off the crossbar. A sigh of relief from the crowd followed.

In the 33rd minute, the Fire took the lead as Blanco held off Jay Heaps and allowed Brandon Prideaux to find Pappa in the box. He turned his defender and laid it off to Thorrington and it was in the back of the net.

Brian McBride fought all game winning countless headers but in the 52nd minute, he suffered after a clash with Matt Reis. He could no longer continue but it allowed for Patrick Nyarko to enter the game. His speed and effort provided the Fire with two clear opportunities. Blanco’s first was off the post but the second was the game winner in the 82nd minute.

Five minutes were added to extra time but Jon Busch and the Fire defense did not lose their nerve to maintain the clean sheet and the victory.

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

Busch: 6.0 – Was not called on to do much which is a testament to the team defense.
Woolard: 5.5 – Most of New England’s attack came from his side and his distribution was average at best.
Brown: 6.0 – When the referee allows a physical game, it plays to his strengths but some of his poor
clearances went unpunished.
Robinson: 7.0 – Played disciplined and punishing defense on Janakauskas. Inspirational in defense.
Prideaux: 8.0 – Not only dominated his side of the field on the defensive end but played a great passing
game on the offensive end.
Pause: 7.0 – A pedestrian or typical game offensively but rendered Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Larentowicz
harmless for most of the match.
Thorrington: 9.0 – A goal, meaningful possession, pestering defense. This was the Thorrington of 2008.
Pappa: 7.5 – Created countless opportunities on the attack but too often chose the chance of improbable
glory over finding his open teammates. The Revolution had few answers to stop him besides
the occasional hard foul but unlike last week, Pappa did not let the challenges alter his game.
Rolfe: 6.5 – Maintained possession and kept the ball moving with precise one touch passes but the defensive
effort of Alston trumped the normally more dangerous attacker.
Blanco: 9.0 – Was the focal point of the attack for 90 minutes and he simply dominated the game. His
winning goal under pressure was pure class.
McBride: 6.0 – The Fire lacked much of an aerial game after he left the match which showed his importance
in the maintaining the ball but his efforts on goal could have been better.

Subs:

Nyarko: 7.0 – It took him awhile to get in the flow of the game as he was caught offsides often but his endless running and physical approach to the match created the winning goal.

Husidic: NR

Coaching: 7.5 – Allowing Blanco to play in his natural attacking role sparked the club to victory. Woolard in for Mike Banner worked enough but Thorrington for Husidic was the difference maker.

ASN Verdict: Easily the best team effort all season. The Fire now will host Real Salt Lake in the conference final at home on Saturday.