MLS Thursday Night: New England Revolution v Chicago Fire

By: Bob | November 8th, 2007

The first round was a home and away. The next round is a one-game series. The MLS Playoffs are if nothing else a weird and wild ride. The first semifinals elimination match will take place on Thursday evening with the New England Revolution taking on the Chicago Fire on this little thing we like to call MLS Thursday Night.

This is familiar territory for both clubs. It is the fifth time in six seasons – and the third season in a row - that the Fire and the Revolution have met in the playoffs. New England has won three of the past four playoff encounters, including last season when they came from behind to eliminate the Fire in penalties. The Revolution are to the Fire what Chicago is to DC United – a playoff bugaboo. The Revolution are a perfect 5-0 at home against Chicago in the playoffs.

Chicago enters the contest the hottest team left in the playoffs. They haven’t lost in ten games. They are playing superb defensively and have received timely goals from a collection of players. They might even have Justin Mapp back. The midfielder hasn’t played since injuring an ankle in late August.

New England is a game away from playing in their third straight MLS Cup final. They are an experienced team with a starting lineup that has largely been here before. They also have never lost at home in the playoffs. They enter the contest with a healthy roster.

A few things to keep an eye on while you watch a team that is, um, on Fire play against a team that seemingly is always playing for a spot in the final.

1. Joseph v Blanco – It should be an excellent battle in the midfield with Shalrie Joseph going head-to-head with Cuahtemoc Blanco. Joseph isn’t afraid to get stuck in and Blanco certainly isn’t afraid to go to the turf. Joseph will also get some support from MLS Defender of the Year Michael Parkhurst.

2. Old man Ralston – Which player has played the most games and logged the most minutes in MLS history? That would be New England midfielder Steve Ralston who has been a steady player ever since winning the league’s first Rookie of the Year award back in 1996. Ralston led the league this past season with 14 assists. Not bad for someone who is 33.

3. The coaches – Since joining the Fire in midseason, Juan Carlos Osorio has made just about all the right moves. His strategies against DC United worked like a charm. Tonight he matches wits with Steve Nichol, one of the more underrated coaching minds in North America.

In a one and done playoff series just about anything can happen. Who do you think will come out on top? I think the Revolution will win 1-0 and will end up playing the Houston Dynamo in the final. Boring prediction, I know.