Fire builds playoff momentum with 5-2 win
Maybe the Chicago Fire finally found its playoff mojo Thursday night.
In its final regular-season game, the Fire rocked New York for a 5-2 victory at soggy Toyota Park. The victory gave the Fire the momentum it was looking for heading into the first round of the playoffs next week.
"Absolutely." Fire coach Denis Hamlett said. "I think tonight our guys went out from the first minute and competed and played as a team and stuck to the game plan. When we do what we're capable of doing we can get the correct results."
By finishing second in the Eastern Conference, the Fire (13-10-7, 46) earned home-field advantage in the first round against New England, a two-game series that begins Thursday on the road.
"We know New England pretty well," Hamlett said, noting the teams' long history of meeting in the postseason. "We know what to expect from them."
As an added bonus, the victory might have ended the season for the Red Bulls (10-11-9, 39 points) and former Fire coach Juan Carlos Osorio. As beautiful as that last thought is to Fire fans, the Fire's attack all night was just as pretty.
The first goal might have been the best of a good bunch. A long buildup led to the goal, started by Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Stephen King on the Fire's side of the field and ending with King beating New York goalkeeper Danny Cepero to the end line and crossing to Chris Rolfe for the first of Rolfe's 3 goals on the night. He assisted on the other 2 goals.
"He had a fantastic night," Hamlett said of Rolfe. "I told him during the week you've just got to relax and get yourself in attacking spots. Just go at guys. With your ability there's no reason you can't score."
The Fire made the score 4-1 in the 53rd minute. Rolfe's pass from midfield reached defender Diego Gutierrez sprinting down the left side of the field all alone. Gutierrez, a Fire original who will retire after the season, earned an assist by sliding a pass through two Red Bulls to Brian McBride for the too-easy goal.
"It looked like Diego from 10 years ago running down that sideline," Hamlett said. "He played a (heck) of a ball in to Rolfie."