Somber Chicago Fire head coach Denis Hamlett could only repeat in one word how he felt after his team crashed out on penalties at home to Real Salt Lake: “Gutted.”

It was a common question and theme in the post-game conference, where a dejected Hamlett lamented his team’s lack of conversions on counterattacks, while also feeling slighted on some of the calls by the referee.

Even with home-field advantage, the Fire were unable to put away Real Salt Lake on penalties as Nick Rimando saved three attempts while, Fabiola Espindola and Javier Morales sky’d their efforts into Section 8. Ned Grabavoy, a late substitute, buried his attempt to send RSL into the final against the Galaxy.

Both goalkeepers kept their teams in the game with Jon Busch making key saves on Yura Mosisyan and Robbie Findlay while Nick Rimando saved a Marco Pappa screamer and was stellar in the penalty shootout.

Chicago Fire Player Ratings:

Busch: 7.0 – His two stops were outstanding and kept his team in the game. The PK situation is always difficult but the RSL shooters were outstanding.

Prideaux: 6.5 – PK aside, he played solid defense and did well in tight spaces to maintain or mount the attack. A noble effort on his final game as a pro.

Robinson: 6.5 - His distribution was average but was exposed often for his lack of speed. However, his positioning and strength kept Findlay at bay for most of the match.

Brown: 6.5 - Like Robinson, exposed by the speed and technical ability of the RSL attack but overall was heroic in a team defense that saw plenty of action in their own box.

Woolard: 5.0 - Some really sloppy giveaways did not hurt the team but it is clear the left side of defense is not his strong spot.

Pause: 6.0 – Clogged the middle of the pitch and helped prevent shots on goal from distance but was clearly outmatched in the possession game.

Thorrington: 6.5 – Made some great runs and covered both sides of the ball. If only he held out on passing to McBride on the break so early, the Fire may have found the game winner.

Pappa: 5.5 – Some great moments were created by the winger but with that came some terrible decision making and crosses to match.

Rolfe: 5.5 – He had his times to take the moment and failed to do so.

Blanco: 6.5 – Once again the focus of the attack and suffered fouls for the team.

McBride: 5.5 – Fought hard all game but failed on his chance to convert. He helped set up several opportunities but his teammates could not convert either.

Subs:
Conde: 6.5 – Stepped up to the challenge and sparked the team. Some great tackling and composure on the ball.

Mapp: 4.5 – Although he had some moments of production, he was timid on the field and needed to play with the same energy Conde brought to the pitch.

Nyarko: 5.0 – Hustled but simply could not pull the trigger after all of his hard work.

Coaching: 3.0 - Hamlett was simply outcoached by Jason Kreis. The refusal to allow Rolfe and McBride to play up top with Blanco just behind them was strange. To rely on a counter attack with no speed up front is not a plan for success. While RSL pinged the ball around with ease and controlled most of the match, the Fire relied on individual brilliance to carry them through. When the majority of your PK’s are taken by defenders and players that rarely shoot on goal, you are going to lose. Why is this still a 3?

ASN verdict: Hats off to RSL for playing a great game of possession soccer that showed if you play as a team, you win as one.