Revolution Vs. Fire: Kelyn Rowe And Benny Feilhaber Extinguish Chicago 2-0

Kelyn Rowe and Benny Feilhaber had a goal and an assist each as the New England Revolution extinguished the Chicago Fire 2-0 at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night.

Revolution Vs. Fire Score Update: Kelyn Rowe And Benny Feilhaber Put New England Up 2-0

After a largely uneventful first half where the home side had the better of play but did nothing with it, the New England Revolution used an inspired substitution to turn their match against the Chicago Fire on its head. The entrance of Kelyn Rowe for Fernando Cardenas in the 65th minute changed the dynamic of the game and led to two goals in a span of four minutes, one each from Rowe and Benny Feilhaber.

Rowe notched his second goal of the season in the 69th minute after Feilhaber split the Chicago defense open with an excellent through ball. Rowe had been set up and nearly scored with his first touch minutes earlier, and in a similar situation here he was through on goal with only Sean Johnson to beat. This time he toe-poked the ball around Johnson and into the back of the net at the right post to give the home side a deserved lead.

The Fort was still celebrating when Rowe turned provider in the 73rd minute. He sprayed a nice pass wide right to Feilhaber, who was crashing into the box at a diagonal angle. The former USA midfielder picked his head up before blasting it low past Johnson to double the team's lead. The goal was Feilhaber's first of the season, as was the assist he picked up on Rowe's tally.

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Fire: New England, Chicago Enter Half Knotted At 0-0

After playing a largely uninspiring half of soccer, the New England Revolution and the Chicago Fire retired to the locker rooms to prepare for the second half with the score tied at nil-nil. Both teams had chances, but for the most part the half was jammed up in the midfield.

New England did appear to be the dominant side, and they also created the earliest chances. Benny Feilhaber went close in the third minute after a good sequence between him, Saer Sene, and Jose Moreno granted him the opportunity. Moreno himself got a header on target in the eleventh minute but it was right at Johnson and saved.

Chicago nearly exploited the Revolution's difficulty with set-pieces when Pavel Pardo lined up a free kick in the 17th minute, but a free header from Gonzalo Segares was denied by the far post in the end. Neither team had too many chances, though, with only five shots for the Revs and three for the Fire. The teams also recorded a shot on goal each.

Encouragingly, the Revs did win the possession battle, controlling the ball for around 57.3% of the time, and their passing accuracy was better than usual at a respectable 72.5%. Chicago, meanwhile, had a passing accuracy of 67.8%. New England also topped the Fire in Duels Won % (66.7%), Open Play Crosses (11 to 5), and Corners (2 to 0).

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Fire Lineups: Cardenas, Moreno Get Start, Benny Moves Centrally

Head coach Jay Heaps had a couple of decisions to make going into Saturday night's matchup with the Chicago Fire. With Clyde Simms and his erstwhile replacement Ryan Guy both unavailable with injury, some shuffling of the midfield was in order and the New England Revolution lineup reflects that.

Fernando Cardenas slots in on the wing, allowing Benny Feilhaber to move to his preferred central role in the four-man midfield. Otherwise, the lineup remains mostly unchanged from the starting eleven that faced D.C., but for one prominent difference. Jose Moreno is making his first start since his return from injury at striker, partnering Saer Sene. He will fill the role most recently occupied by Blake Brettschneider as the target man up top, holding the ball and creating opportunities.

Also notable for the Revolution, Jeremiah White is on the bench after missing several weeks with concussion issues.

On the Chicago end, two things in particular stand out. First, striker Chris Rolfe features on the bench for the first time since returning to the club in April after a stint in Europe. Once he returns to full fitness he is expected to be the first-choice strike partner for Dominic Oduro.

Notably absent is Fire playmaker Marco Pappa, who is second on the team in goals scored. He is away on national team duty with Guatemala.

Lineups

Revolution: Matt Reis; Kevin Alston, Stephen McCarthy, A.J. Soares, Chris Tierney; Cardenas, Feilhaber, Shalrie Joseph, Lee Nguyen; Moreno, Sene

Bench: Shuttleworth, Barnes, Brettschneider, Fagundez, Lozano, Rowe, White

Fire: Sean Johnson; Dan Gargan, Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry, Gonzalo Segares; Logan Pause, Sebastian Grazzini, Pavel Pardo, Orr Barouch; Oduro, Patrick Nyarko

Bench: Tornaghi, Jumper, Paladini, Puppo, Robayo, Rolfe, Videira

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Fire: New England To Renew Rivalry With Chicago In Foxboro

Shalrie Joseph and the New England Revolution will face off against the Chicago Fire in Foxboro on Saturday Night. New England seeks to break a two-match losing streak. (TV/Radio: CSN/98.5)