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Revolution-Fire Preview

Nov 6, 2009 - 7:53 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

New England (11-10-9) at Chicago (11-7-12), 8:30 p.m. EDT

The New England Revolution will have to put aside their historic problems in the Windy City if they want to advance in the MLS Cup playoffs.

The Revolution have lost all six previous playoff road games against the Chicago Fire, and will need at least a draw Saturday night when the bitter rivals play the second leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

New England and Chicago are meeting for the eighth time in the last 10 postseasons, and the Revolution won 2-1 at home last weekend to put themselves in good position to advance. In order to do so, they will have to overcome their complete lack of success in Chicago in the playoffs.

"Every game is tough on the road - there's not an easy game on the road," coach Steve Nicol said. "But obviously, the rivalry we have with Chicago - we say we certainly have an advantage at home in Gillette, as they probably will do at their place. But it's up to us to go in there and try to take that advantage away from them."

Chicago has outscored New England 15-2 at home in the playoffs with three straight shutouts. Last year, the Fire won 3-0 at home after the teams played to a scoreless draw at New England.

The Revolution are in better shape this time around thanks to Shalrie Joseph's match-winner in the 75th minute in the first leg. Emmanuel Osei tied it for New England seconds before halftime after Chris Rolfe opened the scoring for Chicago in the 17th minute.

"I thought we started very well," Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch said. "We got the goal and we had a couple of other chances. It's disappointing to give up that goal right before halftime."

New England felt it played aggressively throughout the first leg. It's hoping to take that same approach on the road.

"We have a lead, which is what we wanted," Nicol said. "So again we have to make sure that we're tight and don't give anything away. If we do that, then we're good.

"But at the same time, we know we can't go there and sit and defend for 90 minutes. We have to start the game solid and well, and then start pushing them back and create chances of our own. Hopefully at the end of it, we'll put a ball in the net."

If Chicago fails to win, this could be the final MLS game for Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who has announced that he will join Veracruz of Mexico's second division in January once his contract with the Fire expires.

The Fire are confident that they can prolong Blanco's current term with the club after an encouraging performance in New England.

"Yeah, we created a lot of chances and I thought that it always comes back to finishing off your chances," coach Denis Hamlett said. "We didn't tonight, but we feel very confident heading back home."

The winner will host Real Salt Lake - an upset winner over 2008 MLS Cup champion Columbus - in the conference final next Saturday.