#2 New England Revolution vs. #3 Chicago Fire – Eastern Conference semi-finals (total goals)
Chicago Fire 1, New England Revolution 0 (Game 1)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
October 22, 2006
After finishing the regular season one point shy of second place New England, the Chicago Fire would welcome the Revolution in the first-ever playoff game at Toyota Park.
Despite being outshot 12-8, the Fire would find the game’s only goal in the 35th minute when Justin Mapp’s placed his left footed free kick over the Revolution wall and inside the right post.
Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens would come up huge in goal, making eight saves to tie Zach Thornton’s record for most in an MLS playoff game.
#2 New England Revolution vs. #3 Chicago Fire – Eastern Conference semi-finals (total goals)
New England Revolution 2 (4), Chicago Fire 1 (2) asdet (Game 2)
Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, Mass.
October 28, 2006
The Fire looked to have command of the series early on when Mapp beat his marker to the end line on the right before centering for Nate Jaqua who touched his effort past Matt Reis at the near post, taking the aggregate score to 2-0.
New England didn’t relent though and pulled things level in the 41st minute when Andy Dorman helped put Joey Franchino into the box on the left. The Revolution captain quickly crossed and picked out Taylor Twellman whose shot beat Pickens inside the left post.
The Revolution continued to threaten after the break and would bring things level when Jeff Larentowicz’s shot from outside the box was stopped by C.J. Brown but the ball deflected straight to Pat Noonan who calmly finished past Pickens, eventually sending the match to extra time.
Both teams traded blows in the overtime periods but couldn’t convert, pushing the game to penalty kicks.
Fire midfielder Thiago would miss the first take while New England converted each of their first four. Ivan Guerrero stepped up and saw his low shot to the left saved by Reis leaving Taylor Twellman to send home the winning penalty and the Fire in the process.
WATCH: 2006 Eastern Conference Semifinal Leg 2
