Win helps Fire's late playoff push

In a match that was edgy at times and which required recovery from an early goal, the Chicago Fire breathed considerable life into their playoff push with a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution.

Saturday night's result, before a sellout 20,014 at Toyota Park, leaves the Fire (9-10-9, 36 points). That's 5 points ahead of Columbus, which lost 3-1 at home to Dallas on Saturday. Colorado is also in the playoff hunt.

"Three teams are playing with their backs to the wall, and the best team, the strongest team, will survive," said Fire coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "I think we showed that tonight. The fact that we came back from a 1-nil deficit says a lot about the strength of character of this team."

Chad Barrett scored the winning goal in the 60th minute when he put in the rebound of a Paulo Wanchope shot. The goal was Barrett's seventh of the season.

"I've been waiting all season for one to fall right to me," Barrett said. "If I'd have missed that, I would have been crucified."

The victory breaks a string of four straight tied matches and leaves the team well-positioned with two matches to play in the regular season. The Fire is still in the final playoff spot, but that place is slightly more solidified.

"The win feels great," Fire midfielder Chris Rolfe said. "We've been waiting for this for a while."

The first half was wide open and played with great pace. The Revolution (14-7-7, 49 points) took the lead when Jeff Larentowicz ended a long spell of pressure by the visitors with a long-range effort.

The 24th-minute goal was the last thing a team scrambling for the playoffs needed, but the Fire responded.

"With the four ties, we put pressure on ourselves to get points, and we needed points tonight," Rolfe said. "You get frustrated, and everybody wants to make every pass and every shot work. Sometimes it doesn't come off, and you can see were stressing out a little."

Rolfe tied the match just before halftime, and the second half began with the Fire playing much more relaxed soccer. Barrett passed to Rolfe from the left side of the penalty area, and Rolfe hit a 20-yarder into the net.

"(Rolfe) has been on fire from the outside," Barrett said. "Give him the ball and watch what he does. A great shot and a great finish by Rolfey."

Osorio had to watch the match from a Toyota Park skybox. He was ejected from the bench in the Fire's 1-1 tie at Chivas and served a sideline ban for Saturday's match. While Osorio said there were benefits in being able to see the field better, he said he hoped to not have to be away from the sideline again any time soon.

"In general, I would rather be near the bench, so I could tell the players more," Osorio said.