Chicago Fire Defeat New England Revolution 2-1

Fire forward Chad Barrett notches an assist and game-winning goal

Crowd of 20,014 marks sixth sell-out of season, new club record

 

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Oct. 6, 2007) – The Chicago Fire (9-10-9, 36 pts.) defeated the New England Revolution (14-7-7, 49 pts.) 2-1 in front of 20,014 fans at TOYOTA PARK.  The Revolution took the lead early with a goal courtesy of midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, but Fire forward Chris Rolfe gave the “Men in Red” a goal in the 46th minute to level the score. Fire forward Chad Barrett notched the game-winning goal to record the win in the 60th minute.  Chicago are sitting on a season-high, six-game unbeaten streak, going 2-0-4 in their last six matches.

 

The Revolution opened scoring in the 24th minute of play, as midfielder Steve Ralston took an initial shot from the inside the 18-yard-box, but the ball deflected off the Fire defense to the feet of Larentowicz.  The Revolution midfielder put a right-footed shot just inside the right goal post past goalkeeper Matt Pickens to give New England a one-goal advantage.

 

The Fire answered just into first half stoppage time, as Barrett battled through two defenders and slipped the ball to Rolfe streaking to the top of the box.  Rolfe released a low shot into the left side of the net to level the score 1-1 for his sixth goal of the season.

 

The Fire doubled their lead in the 60th minute as Fire forward Paulo Wanchope received the ball just outside the penalty area and struck a ball that forced Reis to make a diving save to his left.  Barrett capitalized on the rebounded ball, blasting a hard shot from point-blank range past the grounded Reis.

 

“We got three important points tonight.  I felt the first half wasn’t as good.  A key goal by [Chris] Rolfe, at the end of the first half and in the second half I think you saw in the first 15 minutes we had a very good push and created some really good chances and got that great goal by Chad [Barrett].”

 

The win tonight brings the Fire to 9-10-9 (36 pts.) in league play, keeping the “Men in Red” in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.  Chicago currently occupy the eighth playoff spot; sitting five points above the Columbus Crew (31 pts.), and seven points above the Colorado Rapids (29 pts. as of Saturday).  The Fire will play their third and final international friendly match on Wednesday, Oct. 10, against Cruz Azul of the Mexican Primera Division (7:30 p.m. CT, TOYOTA PARK) in the Tamayo Financial Challenge Cup, presented by Boost Mobile and AeroMexico.

 

Fire Lineup: GK-Matt Pickens, D-C.J. Brown, D-Dasan Robinson, D-Gonzalo Segares, D-Wilman Conde, M-Diego Gutierrez, M-Chris Armas (Captain), M-Chris Rolfe (Calen Carr 87), M-Cuauhtémoc Blanco, F-Paulo Wanchope, F-Chad Barrett (Bakary Soumare 66).

 

Revolution Lineup: GK-Matt Reis, D-Jay Heaps, D-Michael Parkhurst, D-James Riley, D-Steve Ralston (Captain), M-Shalrie Joseph, M-Jeff Larentowicz, M-Wells Thomson (Andy Dorman 74), M-Khano Smith, F-Pat Noonan (Abdoulie Mansally 76), F-Taylor Twellman.

 

Scoring Summary

NE – Jeff Larentowicz (UA) 24’

CHI – Chris Rolfe (Chad Barrett) 46+’

CHI – Chad Barrett (UA) 60’

 

Misconduct Summary

NE – Taylor Twellman (caution, reckless foul) 34’

CHI – Paulo Wanchope (caution, reckless foul) 57’

CHI – Bakary Soumare (caution, tackle from behind) 84’

NE – Abdoulie Mansally (caution, reckless foul) 89’

 

Referee: Baldomero Toledo

Referee's Assistants: Adam Wienckowski, Craig Lowry

4th Official: Michael Kennedy

Attendance: 20,014

Weather: Clear, 82 degrees

 

All Statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.