By TRAVIS CLARK
The Chicago Fire emerged with a 2-1 victory over conference rivals New England Wednesday evening, a valuable win for the Fire as they aim to climb back into playoff contention.
Substitute Calen Carr's 85th minute tally secured the victory, after the two sides exchanged first half goals. New England Marko Perovic took advantage of a Wilman Conde mistake to open the scoring, before Baggio Husidic equalized in the 32nd minute. That set the stage for Carr's heroics, coming in the forward's 2010 debut. He had picked up an injury during Chicago's preseason.
Three points for the Fire draws them within two points of San Jose and Toronto, who are tied at 26 for the eighth and final playoff spot. Meanwhile, the loss is a big blow to the Revolution who remain mired at 21 points.
The highlights are after the jump, as well as a few other stories for Thursday:
INTERNACIONAL WINS LIBERTADORES
Brazilian club Internacional rose to the challenge Wednesday evening, securing the coveted Copa Libertadores with a 3-2 win (5-3 on aggregate) over Chivas de Guadalajara. The Mexican side, looking to become the first to win the competition, equaled the aggregate score with their first of the game. But the Brazilian side came roaring back in the second half to take control of both Wednesday's match to secure the trophy.
ARSENAL BID FOR SEVILLA DEFENDER
North London club Arsenal are reported to be in negotiations for Sevilla defender and french international Sebastien Squillaci in an effort to improve their defensive depth. The club currently only has three experienced center backs in Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny, with the latter one of Wenger's new signings over the summer.
The 30-year-old Squillaci was in South Africa with the French squad over the summer but didn't see any action.
HODGSON WANTS TO KEEP MASCHERANO
New Liverpool boss Ray Hodgson is adamant that the club will keep defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano unless a bidding club meet's Mascherano's valuation. The Argentine had previously been linked with a reunion with old manager Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan. Mascherano started Liverpool's opening league match against Arsenal in what many speculated would be his last game with the Reds.
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What did you think of last night's Fire-Revolution game? Surprised to see Internacional win Libertadores? Think Arsenal will sign a new defender? Will Mascherano stay at Liverpool?
Share your thoughts below.
Calen has been totally professional and upbeat through the injuries and rehab. While enduring the frustration of being out he has worked with kids in the community and has totally maintained a positive attitude. What a plus he has been for the Fire and MLS.
Could be a killer race for two spots between the Fire, Toronto, Seattle and the Earthquakes. I know Colorado has a point less than Seattle but I think they’ll be fine
Pappa is becomming the new Jusin Mapp. He shows promise once every ten games and then wallows in mediocrity. Despite Mr. Potato, the Fire did manage to move the ball as compared to the previous game. Carr was a surprise. He hasn’t played like that for over two years.
a Mexican club will never win Copa Libertadores. hahaha
Guzan and Lichaj looked pretty solid. Guzan didn’t have much to do in the second half but made some pretty good saves and looked quick with his decision making. Positionally Lichaj looked good, and Rapid Vienna didn’t do much damage from his side. (I only saw the second half, though.)
I can’t figure out how someone can be offsides that many times in a game, and as a midfielder at that.
Nery Castillo was terrible for the Fire last night.
DC… We will get one some day…
Have you been hanging with the Danish special forces?
Not connecting the dots here
Don’t honestly see Bradley as top 4 material yet – he’d be behind, of all people, Lucas and would suffer without consistent playing time.
Won’t happen -yet. I say he goes to a midtable Premier League team when he next moves.
The Revs are still playing in–and drawing poorly to–Gillette. There are rumors of a stadium closer to Boston–Foxboro is about 40 minutes out–but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
The usual place has a very good feed. I will try to post it so it won’t get shut down for everyone. By the way Jozy is on the gameday roster for the Villareal Europa Cup match today at 4:00. Not sure as yet if he’s made the 18. His game is also listed on the same website. Web site is a t d h e . n e t
Top Goal Scorer This Season in EPL?
Drogba, Torres or Rooney?
I’m a Reds fan so I say El Nino
Special forces like
British SAS, SBS,
US Delta Force, Green Berets, Marines, Navy Seals
German KSK
French Foreign Legion, Naval Commandos
Dutch KCT
Australian SAS
New Zealander SAS
Polish Grom
Norwegian FSK, HJK
Danish Jaegerkorpset
Canadian JTF-2
all special forces in afghanistan at the moment
Will Donovan be called up for the matches against Poland and Colombia? I rather hope not. He needs to focus on the Galaxy or if possible, on a new club in Europe. It’d be so awesome if say Donovan or Boca don
t show and Bradley gets the captain’s armband. It’s his destiny.
I feel Guzan will be getting some PL games in this year. Friedel better watch out, he’s gunning for his job.
O/T but what are the last MLS teams without a stadium of their own? I know KC is supposed to have a stadium in a year and San Jose is set to have 1 before 2012.
Anybody got a link for the Villa match?
So is Guzan..
Aston Villa: Guzan; Lichaj, Beye, Davies, Warnock; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Hogg, Downing, Bannan, Heskey.
Subs: Friedel, Clark, Weimann, Osbourne, Delfouneso, Baker, Lowry
Kickoff at 12:45 Est
I think its the familiarity factor. He’s been paired up with Xabi before he left, and Rafa knows him well. I’d say he’s probably the best Dmid in the EPL though obi mikel and toure might give him a run for his money…
Eric Lichaj in starting 11 for Villa in Europa cup.
That would be amazing although it would still feel a little dirty to root for Pool.
Squillaci actually started alongside Gallas in France’s third and final group stage game and could likely take his spot on the team moving forward.
Wenger’s Francenal? Doesn’t have quite the same ring as Fulhamerica…
I agree with the principle of “Don’t sell unless the price is right,” but I get the feeling that ol’ Javier is a little overpriced. As in, he’s overrated.
Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good player. But, for me, he’s not markedly better than 9 or 10 other defensive mids.
Surely someone out there can tell me why I’m wrong.
Best headline of the day, courtesy of ESPN, “Defoe worried after Young Boys groin pull”.
I still can’t let go of my hope that Mascherano leaves Liverpool and Michael Bradley is scooped up by them. He could flourish on that squad.