Fire Host Revolution to Kick off Playoffs

By Todd McClamroch in News on Oct 18, 2006 8:32PM

The Chicago Fire will host their final home game of the 2006 campaign at noon on Sunday, October 22, when they take on division rival the New England Revolution. The Fire will be looking for revenge as it was the Revs who knocked the Fire out of the postseason last year. This year, the Fire have the advantage in their series play with a 2-1-1 record. When this series is over, the two teams will have competed in 10 postseason matches, making it the most frequently played playoff rivalry.

Chicagoist thought we would provide a playoff primer for those not as familiar with Major League Soccer. Eight of the twelve MLS teams make the playoffs. Representing the Eastern Conference are #1 seed D.C. United, #2 New England Revolution, #3 Chicago Fire, and #4 New York Red Bulls. On the other side of bracket representing the West are #1 FC Dallas, #2 Houston Dynamo, #3 Chivas USA, and #4 Colorado Rapids.

The first round of the playoffs consist of a home-and-away aggregate goals series. The Fire will host the Revs on Sunday, then travel to New England next Saturday, and the team with more aggregate goals will win the series. If they are tied after the two games they play 30 minutes of golden goal (sudden death) soccer. If there is no decision after that, the results will be decided by penalty kicks. The conference finals and MLS Cup final are both played in a one-game format. The conference final game is hosted by the higher seeded team, and the MLS Cup final will be played at Pizza Hut Park outside Dallas, Texas on November 12.

Chicagoist thinks that whoever wins this Chicago Fire versus New England Revolution match-up has a strong shot of winning the MLS Cup. Both teams seem to be playing their best soccer at the right time. Tickets for Sunday's match can be purchased on chicago-fire.com. The game will also be televised live on ABC.