Fire fails to clinch playoff spot

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution lost control of its playoff fate, and the Chicago Fire blew a chance to clinch a postseason berth in a 0-0 draw Saturday night.

While the Fire (10-7-12) remained in second place in the Eastern Conference, New England (10-10-9) fell into a tie with Toronto for the league's eighth and final playoff spot.

The Revolution appeared to take control in the first minute when Kevin Alston pushed up the right channel and snapped a cross through toward Kheli Dube, but the striker lost his balance and fell to the ground as the ball sailed away.

The Fire began to find its form later in the first half. In the 30th minute, Chris Rolfe delivered a ball ahead to Patrick Nyarko, whose shot skipped wide of the far post. About eight minutes later, Rolfe escaped two Revolution defenders and caught goalkeeper Matt Reis well off his line, but the midfielder lobbed the ball ahead and it bounced wide of the post.

With 10 minutes to play, the Fire threatened when Brian McBride went down the right and sent a cross to Baggio Husidic, but the pass evaded the midfielder's left foot at the last moment.