• Recap
• Bleachers

Fire earn postseason berth, blank Galaxy

Oct 21, 2007 - 11:46 PM BRIDGEVIEW, Illinois (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Galaxy's remarkable run to the playoffs fell at the final hurdle. On Sunday, the Galaxy lost 1-0 to the Chicago Fire, who take the last postseason place remaining.

"It was disappointing to be knocked out of the playoffs in the last game of the season," Los Angeles coach Frank Yallop said. "Chicago played well and created some good chances. Our defenders did a good job. (Goalkeeper Joe) Cannon was excellent for us."

John Thorrington scored the only goal of the game in the 93rd minute to give Chicago a victory and end Los Angeles' unbeaten streak at seven. The Fire are now unbeaten in the league in eight games.

"I was just happy to get back into the game," Thorrington said. "I'm just thankful that I got the opportunity to repay the faith that the Fire has shown in me."

It was remarkable the Galaxy defense held out as long as it did. Chicago outplayed the visitors, and had 22 efforts on goal to Los Angeles' five.

"There were shots that were wide," Fire coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "Today we made a lot of emphasis during the week that we have to move for the far post and we did that. Today we played well and we controlled the game. I am 46 years old and after this game, I feel like I'm 56 now."

The Fire's front pair of Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Paulo Wanchope were guilty of missing a series of chances, with Cannon denying both numerous times in the frantic opening stages. Chad Barrett and Chris Rolfe also had sight of goal but could not beat Cannon, who finished the game with nine saves.

"I haven't seen that many shots in a while," Cannon said. "As far as the last one goes, it was a bouncing ball and Thorrington did well. As a goalie, you're caught because he has so much time and he can do what he wants with the ball. But give them credit; they came at us from the second minute to the 90th."

David Beckham was a 58th minute substitute for Los Angeles, but the England midfielder could not convert his trademark free kicks when given a late opportunity. He finished the game with one free kick and two corner kicks.

"We had a good run but obviously early season is what's affected us more than anything," Beckham said. "We have to win more games throughout the season instead of relying on the last five or six games to come back into it. But we've ended the season sort of on a high apart from this game and we have to be positive about next season."

Yallop was asked how he felt about not starting Beckham.

"We spoke before the game," Yallop said. "He looked tired before the end of this game and he only played 32 minutes. It's tough not being in a game for seven weeks. Once he got into the game, he made some good passes. His free kicks are always dangerous. A good offseason and he will be really good next season."

With the game seemingly headed for a draw - a result that was enough for Chicago to progress anyway - Thorrington fired home after Calen Carr and Blanco combined to create the opening. Thorrington, a former Manchester United trainee and one-time teammate of Beckham, had come off the bench in the 61st minute.

"The ball just set up nicely for me and thankfully it went in," Thorrington said. "It took quite a while for it to clear (Cannon's) hand and cross the line. It was just a big relief to get in the playoffs. It felt good."

A crowd of 21,374 - a new record for Toyota Park - saw the game.

Beckham, who is not accustomed to losing, is not looking forward to the time off.

"I'm a person that likes to train and work everyday," he said. "That's the way it's been through my whole career for the last 15 years. I've never had more than three weeks off in the summer. I'm not going to know what to do with myself. I'll be keeping on training and keeping fit no matter what."

The Fire moves on to face D.C. United in a home-and-home playoff series beginning Thursday in Toyota Park.

"I just congratulate everybody in the locker room and that's over, it's history now," Osorio said. "Now we are in the playoffs, tomorrow we were supposed to have the day off. I changed my mind and we will be training at 9:00 (a.m. CST) and I will start preparing my team for Thursday tonight."