MLS Playoff Player Ratings: Chicago Fire 2-0 New England Revolution
Chicago Fire
Jon Busch – 6
Nothing much to do. Smothered the few half chances that came his way and was saved by the post on a Jankauskas header in the first half.
Brandon Prideaux – 6
Solid and steady as usual. None of Mansally, Castro, or Thompson gave him any trouble, which allowed the veteran fullback to push forward into the attack.
Dasan Robinson – 6
Looked injured in the waning minutes, but held on to help keep the clean sheet. Overall, the centerback didn't have much to do.
C.J. Brown – 7
A commanding performance from the veteran of so many crucial matches. Always in the right place.
Daniel Woolard – 5
In the opening minutes it looked like Nyassi would skin the barely-fit Woolard embarrassingly, but eventually that matchup took less significance, more down to New England losing its grip on the game than anything positive Woolard did.
Marco Pappa – 8
The youngster is coming into his own. In the first half he was unstoppable, linking with Blanco down the right flank to devastating effect. His juke and cutback for the opening goal were spectacular. Faded in the second half as he tired.
Logan Pause – 6.5
Sat in front of the defense and prevented counters rather well. His good positional choices helped Chicago squeeze the life out of the Revs midfield.
John Thorrington – 7
Went the full 90 despite not expected to be completely fit. Scored the first with a nice late run and kept the midfield ticking with an energetic display.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco – 8.5
What's there to say? The guy who shows up for Mexico games showed up today; Blanco wanted this one. Everything good funneled through his feet. He helped build the first goal and finished the second, and anything in between that was remotely positive for the Fire had his name attached. MLS will take a massive dip in quality when he leaves after this season.
Brian McBride – 5
Like in the first leg, McBride got on the end of a handful of half chances, but his finishing touch lacked. After Reis clattered into him, the striker couldn't continue and made way for Nyarko.
Chris Rolfe – 6.5
Quiet early on, Rolfe started spreading some gorgeous, visionary balls around the park in the late going. Someone has been paying attention to Blanco in training.
Substitutes
Patrick Nyarko – 7
Spent a good deal of time waiting in offsides position, unable to find holes in the Revs defense to probe. Made the key difference late on when he shoved Osei off the ball and assisted the goal that sent Chicago through.
Baggio Husidic – N/A
Matt Reis – 6.5
Beaten twice, but neither were really the goalkeeper's fault. Aside from those two strikes, Reis helped keep out Chicago's 12 shots on target.
Kevin Alston – 7
Consistently shut down Blanco when the Mexican drifted to that side, using his superior pace and athleticism. Overall, a good solid shift from the rookie.
Darrius Barnes – 7
Made a series of blocks and interceptions that belied his years. He's the only rookie to have played every minute of every game, and the maturity shows. Neither rookie was at fault for this one.
Emmanuel Osei – 4
At fault for both goals. For the first, Pappa shook him far too easily in the box before assisting Thorrington. On the second, he allowed himself to get muscled off the ball by the most slender player on the pitch, Nyarko, near the endline before Nyarko assisted Blanco. That one in particular was unforgivable at this level.
Jay Heaps – 4.5
Blanco and Pappa took turns burning the woeful fullback in the first half. Solidified slightly in the second, but not much. Heaps can look back on a long, productive career, but this game was shameful.
Sainey Nyassi – 6
Looked bright to start, but as his team was choked out of the game, he found time on the ball nonexistent.
Shalrie Joseph – 5
Decided to take the day off when the rest of his team desperately needed their captain. Completely overrun in the midfield, Joseph failed to add anything in the attack either. He did manage to clear one ball off the line, but that was the sum of his contribution.
Jeff Larentowicz – 5
Invisible.
Kenny Mansally – 5
Yanked off at halftime as everything good for the Fire was coming down the Revs left side.
Edgaras Jankauskas – 6.5
Threw himself into challenges time and time again, despite not being 100%. Directed a header into the crossbeam in the first half.
Kheli Dube – 6
His pace kept the Chicago defenders honest, but he struggled to find any space in the match.
Substitutes
Mauricio Castro – 5
Didn't have time to affect the match before Blanco pushed him into the boards and he cut his hand. The stitches took too long, so Thompson replaced him.
Wells Thompson – 6
Lively at least when he came on, he got back well to snuff out a Fire attack when it could have been three.
Pat Phelan – N/A
Only had a few minutes to do any damage, but both teams bypassing the midfield, there wasn't much he could add.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
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