Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew: Your Running Commentary

The MLS Eastern Conference final kicks off tonight with the Supporters Shield-winning Columbus Crew taking on the Chicago Fire (7:30pm, ESPN2).

The teams tied their two regular season meetings and both squads are loaded with award winners and all-stars.

Will the Crew maintain their impressive home form, or will the Fire show why they had the best road record in MLS this year?

Will it be Schelotto or Blanco to work the magic? Marshall or Soumare to be the defensive rock? Busch or Hesmer to make the match-winning save?

If you will be watching tonight's match, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the match.

Comments

[Freddy]

HE FIRE GOOOOOOO!!!!!!! LO LO LO LO!!!!!!!

[brant]

well... sitting in Summrs so far has been pretty underwhelming. saw the waiter twice in 35 minutes. they didn't have *any* TVs on soccer game until I asked them 10 minutes into the broadcast, and they looked at me like I was an imposition when I asked about putting the game on, even tho I specifically asked for a seat where I could watch it. I *REALLY* wish I was at Crew Stadium right now!

[Brant]

GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW!

[Ben]

The Fire will win 4-0. Not a prediction a statement.

[brant]

Columbus is doomed! Alexi just picked 'em to win!

GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW!

[brant]

10sec and Blanco's first dive!

everyone drink!

GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW!

[brant]

506 another Blanco dive!

DRINK!

GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW! GO CREW!

[WeatherManNX01]

And there's the background music of Tetris on the trumpet.

[Ryan]

Such a shame that fans of the Galaxy and Dynamo have to watch on TV while the Crew have empty upper decks and behind a goal.

[nate]

Congratulations Ryan, you've won the dumbest post I've ever read on this blog. And there've been some dumb ones, let me tell you.

Looks like a great crowd.

[Isaac]

McBride marking Marshall. should be good.

[brant]

haven't heard McBride's name much yet. Of course, they've got sound up on the pats-jets game instead so there's no way to hear any of it...

[Nic]

Here's a good stream: http://www.justin.tv/luchoquirozzzz

Looks like a decent atmosphere at Crew Stadium. I'd like to see Chicago in MLS Cup though. It'd bring more interest. How boring would an RSL-Columbus matchup be?

[brant]

26:10 another Blanco dive = everyone drink!

GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!!

[Nic]

Pretty typical McBride goal = everyone drink!

[kawa]

McBride is the man, i love this guy, hate chicago but this guy just knows how to get the job done and i can appreciate his game .

[Ryan]

McBride!!!!!!!!!! And man is that stadium smoky

[brant]

no wa o'rourke should be guarding mcHead...

1-0 bad guys. crap.

GO CREW!! GO CREW!!

[Mario in SJ]

What a classy goal. Nice touch!

[northzax]

why is prideaux still playing? That has to be at least a yellow, if not a straight red. Thorington last week and now that?

[WeatherManNX01]

"PISS ON THE FIRE!"

Yup. Good work getting that on the air, ESPN.

[aristotle]

Why is no on commenting on how Hesmer totally blew it on that goal?

Brant: Who are you rooting for?

[Ryan]

The supporters section is loud and because a lot of the mics are placed around the supporters it sounds great, but the upper decks are half full. the entire deck behind the goal by the Chicago supporters is empty. It's a shame that fans who have a history of filling up a place with 20,000-25,000 or even 30,000 have to watch so many empty seats.

[Ryan]

The supporters section is loud and because a lot of the mics are placed around the supporters it sounds great, but the upper decks are half full. the entire deck behind the goal by the Chicago supporters is empty. It's a shame that fans who have a history of filling up a place with 20,000-25,000 or even 30,000 have to watch so many empty seats.

[Drew]

How bout section 8 making themselves heard loud and clear!

Atta way McBride, keep it up Fire!

[WeatherManNX01]

ESPN Soccernet PressPass on ESPN Classic twice a week. Another step toward ESPN Soccer Channel?

[Ryan]

I sure hope so WeatherManNX01. That would be unreal.

[aristotle]

I think I'd like to see Columbus win just on the basis of being able to continue watching Schelotto play. Plus Columbus plays a more attractive style. Chicago kills too many games. That having been said, ugly often wins it in soccer.

[Isaac]

Crew looking better later in the half

[Isaac]

Are we doing the Blanco Dive drinking game?
I'm only 14 so im not allowed to drink but you know what I mean.

[Beckster]

Love McBride - goal was just classic. Hate the Fire....come on Crew!

[aristotle]

The referee is tolerating too many fouls on Schelotto. If it continues, Schelotto is going to end up injured.

[PCFC]

Yeah I didn't know they had ESPN Soccernet on ESPN Classic. Must tune in every week to show my support for ESPN 3.

[aristotle]

Idiotic time to blow the whistle!

[brant]

man.. Prideaux must be French for "prick". he sure acts like one...

No Blanco dives in 10 minutes. my buzz is wearing off.

1-0 halftime

[PCFC]

Yeah I didn't know they had ESPN Soccernet on ESPN Classic. Must tune in every week to show my support for ESPN 3.

[This Guy]

The Crew need to quit crying and diving or they're gonna lose big. Marshall is treating McGod like he has a ladder on his back and nothing is getting called. The Crew may dive more than the Revs or Palermo!!!!

[aristotle]

Actually, "Prideaux" is french for horse's a*s.

[Nic]

Being an impartial observer, I'd like to see a Chicago vs. New York MLS Cup, if only because more people would watch it. Lame reason, I know, but Columbus vs. RSL would only interest those living in the two small markets. From a soccer perspective, Columbus for sure is a more entertaining side than Chicago. NY-RSL is a push: it just depends which version of each team shows.

[Pat]

that was an insane flop by the crew left back, prideaux didn't touch him

[Nic]

I'm with Pat. What Padula (I think) did was pretty weak.

[nate]

Nic - no one's going to watch either way. I wouldn't worry about it.

[This Guy]

Alot of you are whining like you watch only Italian Calcio. I lived in Italy for 5 years and I enjoy the MLS because you rarely see little girls out on the pitch. There are some exceptions Mansally, Heaps, Blanco but overall the match is won and lost on the pitch. I think the ref is doing a great job of letting the game get into a flow. Crying about not hearing a whistle for every touch just wouldn't be soccer, it would be calcio. And I'm glad to see Lil' Robby can now grow facial hair. 2 other things:
1. I don't care what the VA Tech and Miami score is or who won the AL Cy Young award.
2. I would rather watch the pitch then the back of Schelotto's head for 30 second intervals. ESPN2 is trying to fancy this all up.

GO FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!! We earned it. We fill our seats every game.

[Nic D "The Texas 2 Stepper"]

I'm watching . . . so long as the Falcons aren't on at the same time!

[brant]

so lemme gt tis straight.... Fire fans are accusing Columbus of diving?

(snort)

that's not pot callin kettle black. that's pot calling aluminum foil black.

just for that, we're all going to assume Blanco pretended to stub his toe in the dressing room and dove for a call from the towel boy = everyon drink!

[brant]

sorry bout the typos.... I'm on a cell phone @ a sports bar....

blanc dives a 46:15! DRINK!

GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!!

[This Guy]

brant,
I said Blanco dives, but he doesn't get the calls because officials know better. The FIRE have one diver. the CREW have about 5 so far this match. Drink your Koolaid

[This Guy]

2nd Dive for Gaven

[Brew Crew]

Good play by columbus. I look for them to do more fast tempo play this half

[Pepe]

yeah, 2 dives by gaven equals 2 cards. ridiculous.

[CACuzcatlan]

So I decided before the game to root for Columbus if they had a sellout and Chicago otherwise. Looks like its going my way. Unless the rest of Crew stadium has filled in by now

[Pepe]

and a goal. pathetic.

[mikeK]

And this game just got interesting.

[Brew Crew]

Great goal by Marshal. Hes had his head on a few balls already and it was only a matter of time before he was going to get one

[brant]

CHAD!

1-1

GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!!
GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!!

[kawa]

I'm not sure how to route for, i want and Chicago NY final , but i hate them so i wante crew to win.
2-1 crew
Eddie Gaven goooooooooooooooooolllllll

[Isaac]

YES GAVEN!!!!

[jb]

make it 2-1, gaven in the 55th

[brant]

GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!!

2-1 baby!

[Isaac]

Yeah Eddie!

Get it son!!!

[brant]

55:45 = DRINK!

[Drew]

fire is just plain playing sloppy

[Drew]

crew dominating the midfield

great save busch!

[Drew]

anyone know...
why does conf final not go to home and away like 1st rd? wouldn't you think the mls would want the extra revenue from another playoff game?

[This Guy]

Another dive by Gaven. This kid is a joke.

[brant]

yeah kid, you're right... no one shoved him oer or anyting... just tripped over a blade of grass...

[Murphy]

this is one of the best mls games i've ever seen. really well played

[Pepe]

3 yellows for 3 defenders on 3 dives. people better stop complaining about blanco.

[PCFC]

Yeah I didn't know they had ESPN Soccernet on ESPN Classic. Must tune in every week to show my support for ESPN 3.

[This Guy]

Looks like Rogers has been learning from Blanco on how to waste time.

[kawa]

i think i made my mind up now, i'm on the crew Bangwagon.

[brant]

72:15 DRINK!

[This Guy]

Another dive by Gaven

[BRANT]

y'all make it sound like The Crew have on.y won this seasn b/c they get chap calls. Blanco has made a career out of re-enacting the Paul Ruebens death scene from the Buffy movie....

The Crew's wingers are blowing past Chicago's defense and their only choice is to hack 'em. there were several othrsnot called, too.

[brant]

GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!! GO CREW!!

[brant]

There goes your MVP.

good luck chocago. clunbus just got evn faster

[brant]

yep. elbow to Moreno's face. clearly a dive, tho - right?

[This Guy]

and...... Hejduk dives.
Crew may be the biggest divers in MLS

[northzax]

speed kills. As much as I hoped to see the Fire in ccl next season, the crew are simply better, 11-11. Will we finally see the supporters shield and mls cup in the same clubhouse? Looks pretty likely.

[Geoff]

Blanco's the biggest diver in the MLS so I have no idea why Fire fans are accusing Crew players of diving so much....

[kpugs]

I'm sure Chicago getting sent home is somehow the Red Bulls fault, the fans will find a way to make excuses as always.

[brant]

LA here we come!

[Cindy]

i have no inclination towards either of these teams but i am actually really happy for Columbus Crew, i feel they really deserve to be in the final!

[This Guy]

If you are a Crew fan you should turn your head and laugh. The Crew looked like a bunch of skirts out there tonight. Gaven never really had my respect but lost my future respect tonight. I do hope now that the RBNY win because a Crew vs. RSL matchup on ABC will be an embarrassment to MLS.

[Isaac]

PISS ON THE FIRE!!!!
WE ALL LIVE IN THE YELLOW SUBMARINE A YELLOW SUBMARINE A YELLOW SUBMARIINE!!!!

[Isaac]

kpugs. It all traces back to Juan Carlos Osorio.

[kpugs]

I immediately regret being so harsh, this is a tough loss. Sorry Fire fans.

I am DEFINITELY not looking past RSL, but even with Columbus being as good as they are, I would rather face them than the Fire. I'm sure my boys will find a way to screw it up as always, but it's nice to know that the "easiest" (emphasis on the quotes) path to the MLS Cup for RBNY has opened up.

No, I'm not calling it easy nor do I think they are the best team left standing. But in the woulda coulda shoulda side of things, this is the path of opponents I would have chosen, stupid as it might sound.

[Drew]

the better team won tonight, this coming from a fire fan. crew controlled the midfield, fire were sloppy with much of their passing.

the main thing that pisses me off, is the stupid friggin mls rule that has mls conference finals at one team's home field. imo, should be home and away like the first rd, then a final in a neutral field. the current format gives too big of an advantage to the home team and the fire has been victim to this for the last two years. so obviously i absolutely hate this rule.

and finally, yes kpugs, this is JCO's fault...the bastard traitor! ;) and you aren't far behind.

[Drew]

goat of the game for fire = segares

[Pat]

as a fire fan, good job crew and your fans, you were the better team in the 2nd half, i'm pissed, but the win wasn't undeserved.

[Modibo]

Gaven has a new nickname in my book: Flounder.
Yeah, Blanco dives. But Flounder deserved yellow for his flop in the box in the 2nd half.

[MasterShake]

I agree...these finals should be played home AND away and the Cup game should be at a natural field.

I really dont understand this mentality of having 1 game for the series.

[This Guy]

Clark Hunt made his 1st trip to Columbus. That is beautiful for the fans to finally meet their owner from Houston.

Flounder Gaven sounds about right.

[brant]

flounder, eh?

so what do we call Blanco? "Teapot"? he kinda looks like one...
What about Prideaux? "Hockey Goon"? "Hackmaster"?
Does Mapp get renamed "Statue"?

is it just me or was Brad Evans completely invisible all night for Columbus?

Go Crew! Win the Cup!

[ivanov]

??? this is Clark Hunt's third consecutive gameday in Crew Stadium.

[This Guy]

Clark Hunt was a jab not literal.

Prideaux looked like a hockey thug because, after my 2nd viewing of the game, Robbie "MLS 4 Life" Rogers had some sort of problem with his right shin. Maybe shin splints? I don't know? But everytime Prideaux came within a meter of Rogers he dropped to the pitch and held his shin. Maybe Rogers shin was scared of Prideaux? Maybe Rogers realizes on talent alone he won't make it to Europe?
Never have I seen so much diving from Americans on an American pitch. It was disgraceful. Blanco, Schelotto, Moreno, Mansally, and Nyassi I can understand, but I always was proud of the MLS and the USMNT because we would lose but we would play like men.
The Columbus Crew tonight proved all my theories wrong. The Crew has so many young players that I hope this is not the future of the USMNT.

[CD]

Great game. That is probably the most talent I have ever seen on the field in one MLS game. Very enjoyable.

[CD]

"Never have I seen so much diving from Americans on an American pitch."

Look you stupid macho want to be a-holes this game is supposed to be based on skill not knocking guys down. Conde was running through guys all game and so was Soumare. The ref let a lot of stuff play on if you want to watch body checks go watch hockey.

I got an idea for you run at full speed down the middle of the road and have someone clip your food and see what happens to you tough guy.

[CD]

not your "food" your "foot". But you might barf if you just ate.

[This Guy]

I don't get what food has to do with it? Or what would happen if I was running down the middle of the road with food? Did Rogers have food? or we could drop your food questions and just realize that the Crew need to man up.