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McBride scores twice, Fire tie Crew

Oct 12, 2008 - 11:37 PM By Joe Cosentino PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BRIDGEVIEW, Illinois (Ticker) -- Brian McBride and the Chicago Fire clinched a playoff berth in the MLS Cup playoffs with a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew on Sunday. It's the Fire's fourth consecutive year in the postseason and 10th time in their 11 seasons in the MLS.

McBride scored a pair of goals to pace the Fire, who pulled into a tie with New England for second place in the Eastern Conference.

"I think our guys showed the commitment and the will that was needed to get into the playoffs," Fire coach Denis Hamlett said.

Columbus (16-6-6) has clinched first place in the Eastern Conference and the best record in the MLS.

"I think the result was fair, like I said before the first half was not a good one for us," Crew coach Sigi Schmid said. "Chicago took advantage of the opportunity they had, and got on top with the halftime lead.

"In the second half, I though we came out with a lot more energy and we were able to tie it up with the goal by Gaven. The second goal was a great play on the counter attack and the finish by Schelotto."

The Fire (12-9-7) opened the scoring on McBride's third goal of the season. Justin Mapp delivered a corner kick to the far post, where McBride picked up the volley and used a nifty sidestep to beat a Columbus defender and send a left-footed shot past goalkeeper William Hesmer.

"Brian is a true professional," Hamlett said. "He played his game, got in good spots and finished them."

Columbus came back in the second half with a pair of goals over a two-minute span. Chicago's Wilman Conde tried to clear the ball out of his end, but the attempt went straight to Columbus' Eddie Gaven. The Crew midfielder fired a right-footed rocket into from 20 yards out, surprising Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch.

"We didn't get a good clearance," Busch said. "(Gaven) smacked the heck out of the ball. We have top do a better job of getting the ball out. It just went to Gaven perfectly."

Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers drove down toward the Chicago net in the 61st minute and sent a crossing pass to Guillermo Schelotto, who headed the ball into the net from the left side to give the Crew the lead.

"It came after Blanco's corner on a counter attack," Schelotto said. "(Danny) O'Rourke made a nice play bringing in the ball from the back and sent it down the sideline to Robbie, and I was wide open in the middle of the field and just had to finish."

Chicago tied the game on McBride's second goal of the game in the 79th minute. Cuauhtemoc Blanco sent a pass to the penalty area, where Conde headed the ball to McBride. The veteran forward took it off his chest and blasted a right-footed shot past Hesmer to tie the game.

"I take every game the same way," said McBride, who played eight seasons with Columbus. "I want to help my teammates and win games. I was more prepared on the second goal."