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
Da*n, I knew I should have started Segares in my SBI fantasy team.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Stunning
Posted by: Tony in Quakeland | April 03, 2008 at 08:40 PM
suprise, surprise Blanco went down for a free kick
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Barrett with a goal, yeah? How was it?
Posted by: Justin O | April 03, 2008 at 08:41 PM
I don't know if that was a red card.
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:42 PM
the stadium is filling up. great atmosphere
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Flood in for Smith...horrible start. Smith is pissed.
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Justin O, Blanco puts Mapp through on the left touchline. Mapp beats one defender, all alone, touches a dribbling cross into the middle. It finds Barrett. NE doesn't even jump at the guy and Barrett scores an easy one. It looked easy at least.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Sub for Rev Smith out after 12 mns
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Corner REV, still 0-1
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:45 PM
LOL worst red card ever???
Posted by: MasterShake | April 03, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Does anyone think, despite the red card, burning a sub at 11 minutes seems a little unnecessary?
Posted by: TheCoreSpeaks | April 03, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Anyone know how far Toyota Park is from downtown?
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:46 PM
G. Davis, you're my man. but "Castro's blast over the top"? hahahaha. it was nor a blast nor over the top. That "attempt" rainbowed to the parking lot, son.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Core - I do. No more insight haha
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Everyone see this year's MLS players salaries list?
Note: not every player is on here. Like Claudio Lopez's for example.
Anyway, get it here:
http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/3_31_08_salary_info_club.pdf
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Yellow for Mapp: not much in that.
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Wow. What a start. So much for that #1 Power Ranking, eh.
And now Toledo's going to have to keep pulling cards to be consistent, I guess.
Posted by: Marshall | April 03, 2008 at 08:49 PM
It's not much of a reach to think we could see a player sent off for Chicago, based on the standard the ref has set thus far.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | April 03, 2008 at 08:51 PM
With such an early red I expect 3-0 final.
Posted by: David Berger | April 03, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Reis haha. Comes way out. Thanks Dominghosa. Garber & Co. need to raise the salary cap...especially with the additional franchises being introduced. Talent is going to spread too thin and so to attract more talent clubs need more money.
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Disgusting goal. lol. 2-0.
Posted by: David Berger | April 03, 2008 at 08:54 PM
CHI 2-0 thomas
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Ugly goal. But goal nonetheless for Thomasz, who looks like Mr. Magoo's 40-year-old son.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 08:54 PM
GOAL Frankowski - Great ball by Blanco. Barrett couldn't do much with it and Frankowski cleans up.
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:54 PM
unbelievable. maybe the best presented mls game espn has ever had, and it's barely worth watching.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | April 03, 2008 at 08:55 PM
YELLOW for Mansally
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Blanco initiated both goal. What's going in on with REV tonight. 22 mns in down 0-2 1 red , 2 yellow cards
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 08:55 PM
The red card was unjustified, a yellow would have been sufficient. And it looks like it doomed New England.
MLS needs to do something about improving the quality of refereeing.
Posted by: Gene | April 03, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Egads. In 22 minutes, have the Revs lost that sweet Power Ranking and has Parkhurst lost the defender of the year award? Plus we're going to have the lasting effect of a bunch of cards. Egads. Is My Name Is Earl on?
Posted by: Marshall | April 03, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Revs backline with some "3 Stooges" defending right there, not sure how that wasn't cleared. I was answering email when it happened and it took about the 3rd replay for me to really believe that just happened.
Posted by: eric | April 03, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Blanco will be 35, but how old does he look?!
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Blanco will be 35, but how old does he look?!
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 08:57 PM
what about live action ESPN? leave review for half time. thank you
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Horrid decision to wield the red. It might have been yellow, but certainly not red. Total overkill. The must be trying to keep things in control, but... it's still a silly card. Joseph was upset as he should be, he would have not gotten the yellow if the ref didn't make a bad decision. The other yellows were probably deserved. Still, what's that, 5 cards in the first quarter of the game? Too many. Let them play.
Posted by: mikeK | April 03, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Tommy Smyth had to work hard right there to compliment Barrett's role in that goal
Posted by: eric | April 03, 2008 at 09:00 PM
that was close. good save by busch (CHI)
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Fire defense isn't really stopping anyone. I think revs will score one before this ends.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 09:02 PM
so many corners for REV. good save by Busch
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Anyone else think Revs corners are lofted too much? Don't you want it a little more driven?
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Penal for CHI
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 09:07 PM
Penalty Fire
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 09:07 PM
terrible penalty call, especially after the red card.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | April 03, 2008 at 09:07 PM
This ref is about to get a sweet gift card from Best Buy.
Posted by: TheCoreSpeaks | April 03, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Great, and we all know this ref is coming to our home parks at some point this season.
It was funny at first, now I'm just dreading this guy coming to Jersey.
Posted by: kpugs | April 03, 2008 at 09:08 PM
bad call I think but HEY!
Blanco 3-0
it's over for REV
Posted by: NYRB | April 03, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Looks like another really bad decision by the ref. It ruined what could have been an excellent match.
Posted by: Gene | April 03, 2008 at 09:08 PM
BLOWOUT
Posted by: Justin | April 03, 2008 at 09:08 PM
3-0, Blanco with the PK. Mapp got fouled, he should have taken it! I have him on my fantasy team. He has an assist tonight but his yellow cancels that out. :(
Posted by: David Berger | April 03, 2008 at 09:09 PM
The only thing I'm glad about with this is that I get points for my SBI fantasy team with Blanco's goal. Wahoo!
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 03, 2008 at 09:09 PM