Shalrie scores career-first playoff goal for Revolution 2-1 win over Chicago Fire

November 2, 12:12 PMBoston Pro Soccer ExaminerL.E. Eisenmenger

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Shalrie Joseph
Photo: Chris Aduama

Shalrie Joseph scored the game-winning goal at Gillette to lead the New England Revolution to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire in the first leg of the aggregate goal home-and-away series of the MLS Cup Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Revolution, frequently criticized as formulaic defensive soccer, broke free and successfully played a wide open game.

"It was great for soccer for people to see an open style of game," said Joseph.

Chris Rolfe scored first for the Fire in the 17th minute assisted by a complete breakdown of the Revolution defense, who failed to mark and communicate.

The giveaway shook New England awake and opened up the field to ambitious chances from both sides. Emmanuel Osei scored first for the Revolution in first half extratime by dashing in on a Kenny Mansally free kick and heading the ball past Jon Busch. It was Osei's first MLS goal.

In the 75th minute, Joseph forced the game-winning goal from a scramble in front of the net. Joseph flung himself into the melee assisted by Jeff Larentowicz and Pat Phelan, who initially had tried to capitalize off a Mauricio Castro corner kick. It was 2009 team MVP Joseph's career-first playoff goal.

Emmanuel Osei
Photo: Chris Aduama

The Fire started Cuauhtemoc Blanco in an attempt to come out strong and get an early goal, which they did. Blanco played the whole game but ran out of steam in the second half, good for the Revolution because they frequently failed to mark him. Brian McBride came close to scoring in the 6th and 20th minutes, and Baggio Husidic and Marco Pappa were dangerous throughout the match.

Revolution play untypical open game

Defensive midfielder Larentowicz had the best chances on goal, but the Fire were largely undone by the Revolution's uncharacteristically disorganized and individually ambitious play. Ironically, it was the defense - Jay Heaps, Emmanuel Osei, and Kevin Alston - who launched the most dangerous offensive attacks. The Revolution defense became increasingly difficult for the Fire to mark and their distractions created space for midfielders.

The sniper-like attacks scattered the Fire defense after they discovered that strikers Kheli Dube and Edgaras Jankauskas were the least dangerous players on the field.

“We knew we were going to play an open style of game," said Joseph. "We were going to get a lot of numbers forward, create chances. We definitely allowed way too many spaces for them to play and they created chances on their own."

Kevin ALston and Baggio Husidic
Photo: Chris Aduama

Unreliable wide midfielders Mansally and Sainey Nyassi tightened up their usually self-indulgent games and got the ball off their feet quickly and put it on target.

Castro made an immediate impact in the 69th minute when he replaced Mansally and it's still a mystery why coach Steve Nicol can't find a place to start the Honduran internatonal when the strikers are so ineffective. Castro has the game intelligence, craft, and timing that New England badly needs.

Nicol unsuccessfuly tried to address the scoring draught throughout the season and now is looking for any and all options in the playoffs.

“I think the only thing that was missing was reading the play better in the penalty box," said Nicol. "We said at half time, if a guy in a white jersey can get a head on it, then there’s no reason that we shouldn’t be getting people doing the same thing.”

The Revolution rematch the Chicago Fire in the second leg of the series Saturday, November 7, at 8:30PM ET at Toyota Park to determine which team goes forward in the playoffs. The game will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel.

November 2, 2009 - New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire (Gillette Stadium)

Scoring Summary:
CHI – Chris Rolfe (unassisted) 17
NE – Emmanuel Osei (Kenny Mansally) 47+
NE – Shalrie Joseph (Pat Phelan, Jeff Larentowicz) 75

New England Revolution (4-4-2): Matt Reis (GK), Jay Heaps, Emmanuel Osei, Darrius Barnes, Kevin Alston, Kenny Mansally (Mauricio Castro 69), Shalrie Joseph ©, Jeff Larentowicz, Sainey Nyassi (Wells Thompson 93+), Kheli Dube, Edgaras Jankauskas (Pat Phelan 52)

Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton (GK), Nico Colaluca, Amaechi Igwe, Chris Tierney

STATS: Shots 13; Shots on Goal 6; Saves 1; Corner Kicks 6; Offsides 0; Fouls Committed 11

Chicago Fire (4-4-2): Jon Busch (GK), Mike Banner (Gonzalo Segares 64), C.J. Brown ©, Dasan Robinson, Brandon Prideaux, Marco Pappa (Patrick Nyarko 74), Logan Pause, Baggio Husidic, Chris Rolfe (Justin Mapp 87), Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Brian McBride

Substitutes Not Used: Andrew Dykstra (GK), Peter Lowry, John Thorrington, Daniel Woolard

STATS: Shots 10; Shots on Goal 2; Saves 4; Corner Kicks 8; Offsides 2; Fouls Committed 7

Misconduct Summary:
NE – Kevin Alston (caution) 41
CHI – Baggio Husidic (caution) 93+

Referee: Baldomero Toledo

Attendance: 7,416

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