Their rough idea isn't good

Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey began attracting the attention of award-designators and national team coaches last year. Now, opposing defenders have joined in and seem intent on making him a target for some tough tactics -- Dempsey has been fouled more than five times a game, which leads the league.

Chicago's C.J. Brown sent Dempsey to the Soldier Field turf several times Wednesday night, but Dempsey and the Revolution outclassed the Fire, 3-0, in a showdown for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Revolution (3-0-1), who host Chivas USA , tomorrow, have already equaled their point total for the first three months of last season.

"If they do start [focusing on Dempsey], that's good," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said yesterday. "Because that leaves someone else free."

Dempsey has been allowed to maneuver in a 3-5-2 alignment and is making exceptional runs with the ball and spectacular finishes, his diving header providing the fourth goal in a 4-3 win over D.C. United last week and his volley in the penalty area off a give-and-go with Shalrie Joseph the first goal against Chicago. The Revolution compensated for illness and injury against Chicago, Andy Dorman replacing Pepe Cancela (flu) in the starting midfield, the team entering the match with only one reserve player with Major League Soccer experience.

"When you are playing well and doing well, you're only guaranteed one thing -- that the other team is going to kick you. One on one, [Dempsey] is more than capable of handling it and we are happy if they go after him because that will leave Shalrie, Pepe, and Andy free. To be honest, he gets more of that [rough play] in training, and he is used to it. He just likes to play. He doesn't overcomplicate things, he just goes on about it, and that's a fantastic way to be.

"The more he plays the more you see that he doesn't overcomplicate it. We tell him that in the first two-thirds of the field, do certain things. And in the final third, we tell him do what he thinks is best, use his talent."

Against the Fire, Dempsey, last year's MLS rookie of the year, was pulled down in the penalty area before a free kick and twice hit from behind while in possession.

"If I get kicked," Dempsey said, "I just get back up and play."

Dempsey, Pat Noonan, and Taylor Twellman scored their third goals of the season against the Fire, maintaining the Revolution's scoring average at three per game.

Dempsey said he nearly lost control of the ball as he moved parallel to the goal just outside the penalty spot in the 33d minute, but recovered and slammed a shot past goalkeeper Zach Thornton.

"I was just trying to get a foot on it and keep it lower," Dempsey said. "But it took a hop to me, I got it in stride and just tried to put it on frame. In all honesty, it was not a move. It happened so fast. It was a situation where I was just trying to get my foot on it, the ball kicked back up and I played it."

Noonan moved ahead of Wolde Harris with 27 goals, third on the Revolution all-time scoring list . . . Twellman converted his 50th MLS regular-season goal, his first at Soldier Field . . . Chivas USA (0-3-1) is an MLS expansion team, guided by former Revolution coach Thomas Rongen, and is affiliated with CD Guadalajara, one of Mexico's most popular clubs. Officials from the Mexican consulate are expected to attend tomorrow's game at Gillette Stadium . . . The Revolution and FC Dallas (3-0-1) are the league's only unbeaten teams.