Rolfe, Thorrington push Fire past Revs

It’s not often that a team like the New England Revolution, who is the defending Eastern Conference Champion after all, gets drubbed by a few goals. In fact, the Revolution lost by more than two goals just twice last season.

After Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Chicago Fire, though, the Fire have already outscored the Revs 7-0 in two meetings this season and, within the first 6 weeks of the MLS season handed New England two losses as bad or worse than their two worse defeats of 2007.

The score line may have flattered Chicago, in fact New England had more of the game before Chris Rolfe’s clinical finish on 29 minutes staked Chicago to a one-nil lead. For the second week in a row, it was right midfielder John Thorrington playing the role of a difference maker on offense. His precision ball split four defenders to find Rolfe unmarked just inside the penalty area, and after a cool first touch, Rolfe expertly drove his shot low and to the right of Matt Reis.

The Revolution, playing without their two best attackers Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston still put the Fire under pressure, especially over the later part of the first half. Goalkeeper Jon Busch was up to the task though, and a number of fine saves kept the score at a goal to nil heading into half time.

Early in the second half, John Thorrington again proved to be the danger man for the Fire, effectively putting the score out of reach with a sublime goal in the 50th minute. Chicago had already put together its most impressive offensive move of the night to work into the New England end, and when Chad Barrett laid off to Thorrington just outside the eighteen yard line, the midfielder did exceptionally well to steer his precision attempt to the bottom right corner for a 2-0 lead.

Stephen King added a late goal for the Fire, netting his first goal as a professional on 76 minutes after Barrett’s close range try was stuffed by Reis.

A few thoughts on the match:

- Another week, another delightful performance by John Thorrington. The right midfielder who was once on the books for Manchester United played a huge role in the Fire’s victory for a second week in a row; setting up Rolfe’s opener and then burying his only half-chance of the match on 50 minutes.

When Thorrington got his first start of the season three weeks ago, Chicago fans were merely hoping that the man could fill in adequately at right midfield while Rolfe was out hurt. Now, Thorrington has played a big part in putting together four of the side’s last five goals and looks to be one of the Fire’s most important players. Let’s hope this scintillating run of form continues.

- Chris Rolfe finally got to start at his natural position Saturday, and he rewarded head coach Denis Hamlett by burying an early chance that wasn’t all that straight-forward. The goal completely changed the proceedings, allowing Chicago to go on and win three-nil.

I really think this only goes to show that Rolfe belongs up top whenever he’s available to play. He’s proven himself to be an impeccable finisher – one of the two best in MLS in my opinion – over the last few years and Saturday’s tally was a perfect example of the way Rolfe can steal a match through his superb quality in front of goal.

- Chad Barrett’s performance wasn’t brilliant Saturday night, but he gave a workmanlike effort that directly led to the Fire’s impressive win. It was his intelligent run that created the space for Rolfe’s opener, and Barrett assisted Thorrington’s score before providing a Damani Ralph assist to Stephen King late. Furthermore, Barrett managed to go 83 minutes without squandering any easy chances. More of the same from him could be enough to help Chicago to more victories as long as Rolfe is in the lineup.

- The Fire, once again, managed a result that flattered them by winning a match that was essentially even between the penalty areas 3-0. Luck, all too often plays a role in the outcome of soccer matches, but in the Fire’s recent triumph’s it has to be said that Chicago has made its own luck. The Fire only outplayed New England by a fraction, if at all, but matches are won by goals and if the Fire continue to finish the way they did on Saturday they should have a really successful season. As potent of a finisher as Chris Rolfe is, I feel as though if he continues to start up top, I like his chances in any match of putting a goal away before the opposition does.

- The Fire now stand 4-1-1 through six weeks, which puts them on 13 points and in second place in all of MLS.(and with a game on hand on two of the three teams immediately trailing with 10 points). The only side that has been more successful than the Fire so far has been Columbus, which pushed its record to 5-1 with a 2-1 win over Kansas City, Saturday night.

Unfortunately, while the Crew are located closer to Chicago than any opponent in the league, the Fire and Crew don’t square off until a July 5th meeting at Crew Stadium in Columbus. If both teams continue their winning ways, though, that match-up could be one to remember.

Scoring Summary:
CHI -- Chris Rolfe 1 (John Thorrington 1) 29
CHI -- John Thorrington 3 (Chad Barrett 2, Chris Rolfe 1) 50
CHI -- Stephen King 1 (unassisted) 76

Misconduct Summary:
none

referee: Jair Marrufo
Referee's Assistants: George Gansner; Nate Clement
4th official: Alex Prus
time of game: 1:50
attendance: 10,858
weather: Cloudy -and- 44 degrees