As the Fire get set to take on New England in Saturday night’s home opener, we’re in a sort of unique situation with a number of members of the current squad that were involved in the heated meetings between the two sides over the last 10 years.
I spoke to a few of the players involved about their best and worst memories from the Fire-Revs clashes. You may see a trend in some of the answers…
Favorite Memories...
Logan Pause: “There have been a lot of good games throughout the years but the one that absolutely sticks out to me is Chris Armas’ extra time goal in the 2003 Eastern Conference Final at Soldier Field.”
Wells Thompson: “The best for me would have to be Taylor Twellman’s bicycle kick in 2007 that sent us to MLS Cup. I got the assist on it so that was pretty cool. It was honestly a crappy, looping ball and I don’t think I could ever duplicate it again.”
READ: Revs Tactical Preview
Chris Rolfe: “Probably the two leg conference semifinal in 2009. I scored early in the first game and they got two back to win 2-1. We came back to Toyota Park and the atmosphere was incredible. [John] Thorrington tied the aggregate before halftime. I remember we had so many chances but couldn’t finish. Cuauhtemoc [Blanco] came through and scored the goal that put us into the conference final and Toyota Park went nuts.”
Jeff Larentowicz: “I’m not sure… There have been a lot of good games but I can be diplomatic… I’m thinking the 2006 opener at Toyota Park… The Fire were up 3-1 and we scored two goals very, very late to tie it 3-3.”
Gonzalo Segares: “Has to be the 2008 playoff win vs. them. We dominated from start to finish and my goal towards the end iced the match.”
Worst Memories...
Logan Pause: “Taylor Twellman’s bicycle kick in 2007… There’s not a lot else you can say about that.”
Wells Thompson: “When we got spanked twice here in 2008… The 4-0 loss at the start of the season where I think Jeff [Larentowicz] got red carded and then the 3-0 loss in the playoffs. That was a tough year for us and for me personally.”
WATCH: Fire vs. Revs Game Preview
Chris Rolfe: “Twellman’s bike in 2007when Dasan [Robinson] went up to head it and we lost 1-0. At the moment it wasn’t that bad, we responded well but sitting in the locker room after the game knowing your season was over, that was pretty tough.”
Jeff Larentowicz: “Would have to be my red card in the 2008 opener. I don’t think I got [Brandon] Prideaux quite as bad as it looked but it wasn’t great.”
Gonzalo Segares: “Definitely in the 2005 Eastern Conference final in New England when I had my late goal called back. The goal would have sent us to extra time and gave us a chance to go to MLS Cup but I was just barely offside.”
