Jeff Larentowicz

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Shalrie Joseph's goal in the 49th minute and Matt Reis's diving save in the closing seconds of stoppage time allowed the Revolution to escape with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire last night. The Revolution (2-2-3, 9 points) were outplayed most of the match, but Joseph converted one of their few scoring opportunities. Jeff Larentowicz sent a low cross into the middle of the penalty area, where it deflected off Fire defender Wilman Condes's foot right to Joseph on the left side just outside the 6-yard box. Joseph quickly settled the ball and ripped a right-footed shot...

FOXBOROUGH - The Revolution’s opening playoff game was not going as hoped yesterday, the odds mounting against them after surrendering the first goal to the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium. Since the Revolution had produced two goals in their previous five-plus games, 489 minutes of playing time, a rally seemed unlikely. But Emmanuel Osei headed in the tying score just before halftime and Shalrie Joseph, switching to striker in the second half, scored in the 75th minute for a 2-1 Revolution victory.

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Before the Chicago Fire officially began celebrating last night's victory, the Revolution already looked defeated. The Fire earned a 3-0 victory to capture the two-match, total-goals aggregate Eastern Conference semifinal, 3-0. The teams played to a 0-0 draw in Round 1 last week. For the first time since 2003, the Fire were on the winning side of a playoff series against the Revolution. Chicago advances to face the winner of tomorrow's Columbus-Kansas City match in the Eastern Conference final.

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Shalrie Joseph's goal in the 49th minute and Matt Reis's diving save in the closing seconds of stoppage time allowed the Revolution to escape with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire last night. The Revolution (2-2-3, 9 points) were outplayed most of the match, but Joseph converted one of their few scoring opportunities. Jeff Larentowicz sent a low cross into the middle of the penalty area, where it deflected off Fire defender Wilman Condes's foot right to Joseph on the left side just outside the 6-yard box. Joseph quickly settled the ball and ripped a right-footed shot...

WASHINGTON - So far, things are going smoothly in the Revolution's MLS Cup quest. The players, plus their bags, were present and accounted for following a shuttle flight to Reagan National Airport late yesterday afternoon. As midfielder Steve Ralston prepared to board a bus for a Crystal City hotel, he reflected on the relative ease of preparations and travel. "This is a better situation than two years ago," said Ralston, recalling the team's after-midnight arrival (minus baggage)

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Revolution are about to test the value of Major League Soccer's version of home-field advantage. The Chicago Fire took a 1-0 victory over the Revolution yesterday, the second successive year New England has lost its playoff opener and its fifth successive postseason defeat in the Chicago area over a six-year span. Justin Mapp's 35th-minute free kick climaxed a strong Chicago run in the first half. But the Revolution were mostly in control in the early going, and dominated the second half, utilizing their assertiveness and skill as the Fire...

FOXBOROUGH - The Revolution’s opening playoff game was not going as hoped yesterday, the odds mounting against them after surrendering the first goal to the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium. Since the Revolution had produced two goals in their previous five-plus games, 489 minutes of playing time, a rally seemed unlikely. But Emmanuel Osei headed in the tying score just before halftime and Shalrie Joseph, switching to striker in the second half, scored in the 75th minute for a 2-1 Revolution victory.

FOXBOROUGH - The Revolution are hoping the fourth time will be a charm, in the form of a championship. Taylor Twellman's 38th-minute bicycle kick provided the difference as the Revolution took a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference final last night, qualifying for their third successive MLS Cup appearance. The Revolution, who lost in the MLS Cup in 2002, '05, and '06, will meet Houston or Kansas City in the final Nov. 18 in Washington. "We've had the core group together the last five or six years and we're experienced," Twellman said.

Drew Moor scored in the 71st minute to lift the Colorado Rapids to a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night. San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch stopped a shot by Jeff Larentowicz and the rebound came right to Moor, who sent the ball back into the net. Colorado (10-9-12) ended a three-game losing streak and extended its winless streak to 0-3-2. The Rapids have been held to four goals in that stretch. Chris Wondolowski scored in the 19th minute for San Jose (6-11-13)

■When, where: Wednesday, 8 p.m., at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough. ■TV, radio: CSN, WBZ-FM 98.5. ■Records: Rapids 4-4-0; Revolution 2-5-0. ■Formations: Rapids 4-3-3; Revolution 4-4-2. ■Goalkeepers: Rapids, Matt Pickens; Revolution, Matt Reis. ■Coaches: Rapids, Oscar Pareja; Revolution, Jay Heaps. ■Referee: Terry Vaughn. ■Keys to game: Rapids - Jeff Larentowicz winning his matchup with Shalrie Joseph; Revolution - Getting off to a better start (four of their nine goals allowed have come in the first 30 minutes)

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Before the Chicago Fire officially began celebrating last night's victory, the Revolution already looked defeated. The Fire earned a 3-0 victory to capture the two-match, total-goals aggregate Eastern Conference semifinal, 3-0. The teams played to a 0-0 draw in Round 1 last week. For the first time since 2003, the Fire were on the winning side of a playoff series against the Revolution. Chicago advances to face the winner of tomorrow's Columbus-Kansas City match in the Eastern Conference final.

WASHINGTON - So far, things are going smoothly in the Revolution's MLS Cup quest. The players, plus their bags, were present and accounted for following a shuttle flight to Reagan National Airport late yesterday afternoon. As midfielder Steve Ralston prepared to board a bus for a Crystal City hotel, he reflected on the relative ease of preparations and travel. "This is a better situation than two years ago," said Ralston, recalling the team's after-midnight arrival (minus baggage)

FOXBOROUGH - The Revolution are hoping the fourth time will be a charm, in the form of a championship. Taylor Twellman's 38th-minute bicycle kick provided the difference as the Revolution took a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference final last night, qualifying for their third successive MLS Cup appearance. The Revolution, who lost in the MLS Cup in 2002, '05, and '06, will meet Houston or Kansas City in the final Nov. 18 in Washington. "We've had the core group together the last five or six years and we're experienced," Twellman said.

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Revolution are about to test the value of Major League Soccer's version of home-field advantage. The Chicago Fire took a 1-0 victory over the Revolution yesterday, the second successive year New England has lost its playoff opener and its fifth successive postseason defeat in the Chicago area over a six-year span. Justin Mapp's 35th-minute free kick climaxed a strong Chicago run in the first half. But the Revolution were mostly in control in the early going, and dominated the second half, utilizing their assertiveness and skill as the Fire...

Defender Oguchi Onyewu will rejoin the U.S. men's national soccer team for upcoming matches against Honduras and Ecuador. Onyewu is one of only three players on the 22-man list released Thursday who has not been in camp with the Americans since coach Jurgen Klinsmann took over last month. The others are goalkeeper Nick Rimando and German-born Danny Williams, who will be eligible to play for the United States after his citizenship is certified. Top Americans Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra and Michael Bradley are among those selected.

Luke Rodgers scored in the 33rd minute to cap the teams’ six-minute scoring flurry and lift the New York Red Bulls to a 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night. Jeff Larentowicz scored twice for the defending MLS champion Rapids (4-3-5), who had their fourth straight draw. Larentowicz opened the scoring by tapping in the rebound of his own failed penalty shot in the 27th minute. That started the league’s fastest scoring binge since March 28, 2008, when Houston and San Jose also combined for four goals in six minutes.