New England Revolution at Chicago Fire: Your Running Commentary
It took five months but the rematch of the MLS Eastern Conference final between New England and the Chicago Fire is here.
The Revolution comes off an impressive 3-0 thrashing of MLS Cup champion Houston in its season opener. Chicago's season opener wasn't as successful. The Fire needed a last-minute goal from Cuauhtemoc Blanco to salvage a 1-1 tie against Real Salt Lake.
The Fire will look to make the first game at Toyota Park this season a memorable one by exacting some revenge and posting the first win of the season.
The match-up to watch in this one is between Shalrie Joseph and Cuauhtemoc Blanco. Jeff Larentowicz may be called on to harrass Blanco but the match will be decided by which player has the better game, Joseph or Blanco.
My prediction? I'll go with New England, 2-1.
The match is on ESPN2 tonight at 8 p.m. If you will be watching the match and will be on your computer, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions on tonight's match in the comments section below.
Enjoy the soccer.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Game's at 8, Ives.
Posted by: Adam | April 03, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Yes Adam, I was just about to change it. Jeez you're quick.
Posted by: Ives | April 03, 2008 at 07:33 PM
I'm so glad ESPN actually put in better effort to promote these games. I like their Primetime Thursday promotion. Can't wait until they change their pre Champions League intro that looks like it was made for an early 90's Nikelodeon game show. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? It's horrible! I wonder if they will use it tonight.
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 07:36 PM
No prediction Ives? Well my prediction 2-0 New England.
Posted by: Spencer | April 03, 2008 at 07:41 PM
haha, I can't help it I check your site on a regular basis... sorry for being such a hardcore SBI fan
Posted by: Adam | April 03, 2008 at 07:42 PM
I will watch both games. I want Chicago and San Jose to win.
LA is without Abel Xaiver, Carlos Ruiz and Ante Jazic. Álvaro Pires is doubtful. All these dudes would regularly start so that is a big blow.
New England is without Twellman and Ralston which will hurt.
I would love to see Chicago and San Jose win.
Posted by: David Berger | April 03, 2008 at 07:43 PM
No prob Adam, I really do appreciate it. A lot of times I throw a post up and make corrections right after I post it.
Posted by: Ives | April 03, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Oh yea and predictions.
San Jose 1 LA 1
Chicago 2 New England 1
Posted by: David Berger | April 03, 2008 at 07:44 PM
I hate having to work Thursday nights...the only day of the week I work at night :(. How unlucky?! For that reason, I look forward to as in depth a commentary as possible!
Posted by: EricJ | April 03, 2008 at 07:47 PM
What's the over/under on the number of times Blanco complains to the ref?
Looking forward to seeing Nyassi and Mansally again for NE.
Posted by: Addick | April 03, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Blanco enjoys the spotlight 'My kind of town' by (2-1... Will we see Nyarko?
Posted by: Aggies4 Jerry Garcia | April 03, 2008 at 07:50 PM
The Quakes-Galaxy game tonight will go a long way towards determining whether my allegiance stays with the Gals, or if I become a new SJ fan. Having been a Galaxy fan from the beginning, living in LA, it has depressed me to watch them devolve into the clown part of a circus. But now that I live just up the road from SJ, I am considering the change. C'mon, somebody make me a believer!
Posted by: josh | April 03, 2008 at 07:53 PM
LA is going to need all the support it can get man...
Posted by: EricJ | April 03, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Anyone know what Allen Hopkins is up to? I think I saw him doing college bball. I liked him on the sidelines for ESPN.
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Tim Larentowicz, Jeff's evil twin brother?
Posted by: Evan | April 03, 2008 at 08:13 PM
All game is on ESPN360.com as well. The audio is not so good right now but hey at least you can watch it ;)
Posted by: Sandro | April 03, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Jozy is pure class. On the one hand, I'm glad he'll be in Europe improving his game soon, but on the other, I'll be disappointed he won't be one of the faces of MLS anymore.
Posted by: Adam | April 03, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Evan, "evil Kaiser" would be reduntant, no?
Posted by: Ilya | April 03, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Stick with the Galaxy. One day we'll be rid of Lalas and be back to our old selves again.
Posted by: CACuzcatlan | April 03, 2008 at 08:17 PM
NOt all of us can watch ESPN 360, alas, so updates appreciated.
Posted by: Justin O | April 03, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Anyone else think it's appropriate that the Chicago FIRe have Best Buy on their jerseys because Cuathemoc Blanco was a better buy than Beckham.
Anyway, I think a late goal by the Fire wins it 2-1. Galaxy 2-0 in the late game.
Posted by: tedhill | April 03, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Love Thursdays! Thank you ESPN even if it is on the deuce....
Posted by: PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo | April 03, 2008 at 08:19 PM
I have to say I love the pre-show on Espn 2
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:20 PM
I too am a bit surprised and pleased with the pre-game. good stuff. hopefully the quality continues through the season.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 08:23 PM
I can't watch. Still no kick-off? Is it a 30-minute pregame?
Posted by: Justin O | April 03, 2008 at 08:27 PM
nice crowd
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Weak opening crowd for Chicago.
Posted by: David Berger | April 03, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Yes very well done.
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Yes Tommy!
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Davis and Smith for the REV-CHI game
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:29 PM
one says nice crowd, one says weak crowd. WHICH IS IT.
Posted by: EricJ | April 03, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Three cheers for Chad Barrett!
Posted by: kpugs | April 03, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Good crew from ESPN
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:33 PM
I was wrong about the crowd. I think the tv side has more people though.
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:33 PM
did the game start? ESPN360 is repeating the starting lineup twice.
Posted by: Sandro | April 03, 2008 at 08:35 PM
GOAL Barret
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Nevermind the game started in ESPN360.com now.
Posted by: Sandro | April 03, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Barett 1-0 4mns
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Chad Barrett. Geez, the next Taylor Twellman.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 08:36 PM
why is the goal box such shite?
Posted by: adam | April 03, 2008 at 08:36 PM
5th min: Corner for Revs
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:37 PM
That was terrible defense, for the record, on the goal.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Dominghosa,
The next Twellman? I don't think anyone wants to be that. Yuck.
Posted by: David Berger | April 03, 2008 at 08:38 PM
red card in the 7th moin. on NE, wow.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 08:38 PM
RED CARD for Larentowicz Revs
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:38 PM
AAHAHAHAHAAAHAHHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: kpugs | April 03, 2008 at 08:38 PM
RED CARD for Revolution
Dam 6 mns a goal and a red card already
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:39 PM
game over 8 minutes in. great...
Posted by: ManicMessiah | April 03, 2008 at 08:39 PM
RED CARD for Larentowicz and a yellow for Joesph. WOW. That was not a red. This game looks to be over, I don't think NE can score down a man.
Posted by: David Berger | April 03, 2008 at 08:39 PM
apparently that was Tim Larentowicz, the evil twin brother, and btw that was an awful call.
Posted by: Evan Cipriano | April 03, 2008 at 08:40 PM