They're not up to snuff

Revolution burned by Fire for second time this season

To blank the Revolution, Jon Busch needed to make this point-blank save on Kheli Dube. (Stephan Savoia/Associated Press)

FOXBOROUGH - The Revolution have had the Chicago Fire's number when it matters most. But the Fire continued to pile up goals against the Revolution this season, taking a 3-0 win last night. The Fire (4-1-1, 13 points) also took a 4-0 victory over the Revolution (3-3-1, 10 points) in the second game of the season.

The Revolution, who visit Chivas USA next Sunday, have a four-game winning streak over the Fire in elimination situations since 2004. Steve Ralston returned to the Revolution lineup as a second-half substitute, his first appearance since March 29, but the Revolution lacked composure in attack and were outmaneuvered by the Fire's counterattacking tactics. The Fire patiently defended, then went through Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Chris Rolfe to set up their goals. Rolfe (29th minute), John Thorrington (50th), and Stephen King (76th) scored for the Fire.

Chicago absorbed the Revolution's pressure tactics early, then scored following an extended period of possession in the 29th minute. Blanco started the sequence holding the ball about 30 yards from goal on the left, then finding Logan Pause, who sent the ball to Thorrington on the right. The passes spread out the Revolution defense, leaving space for Thorrington to thread a pass into the penalty area, where Rolfe was standing unmarked and kept onside by Michael Parkhurst. Rolfe turned and fired to the right of Matt Reis.

The Revolution attempted to retaliate immediately. Mauricio Castro made a steal, and a Kenny Mansally-Adam Cristman combination returned the ball to Castro just outside the goal area. Castro faked a shot to the right, outmaneuvering a defender, but sent his wide-open attempt directly at goalkeeper Jon Busch in the 31st minute. A minute later, Mansally earned a free kick, resulting in a corner. Then, a Khano Smith cross was right-footed wide from 25 yards by Castro. The Fire went into an even more conservative, defensive mode, but threatened on a counterattack; Rolfe's cross (40th) skidded through the goal area untouched as Chad Barrett arrived late, the ball continuing through and over the end line for a goal kick.

The Revolution played a frenetic style in the first half, seldom retaining possession, barely displaying the patience to break down the Fire defense. Relying on individual advances and direct play to the forwards, the Revolution were too predictable. And when an individual move worked to the Revolution's benefit, they squandered the chance, Castro's shot in the 31st minute the most obvious example.

The Revolution's most effective buildups started with right back Chris Albright, returning to the lineup for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury April 3 at Chicago. Parkhurst's clearances were inconsistent from central defense and Jay Heaps's long balls to Smith and Mansally failed to get past Chicago defenders Diego Gutierrez and Bakary Soumare. Chicago right back Brandon Prideaux effectively closed down Smith, who scored the deciding goal with a spectacular move in the Revolution's last game, a 1-0 win at FC Dallas.

The Fire took control in the second half with the same formula it used in the opening half. The Revolution continued to easily lose possession, the Fire capitalizing to score in the 50th minute. Rolfe started the scoring sequence near the end line, sending the ball through the penalty area, Blanco dummying it on to Barrett, who kept the ball flowing to Thorrington. Thorrington one-timed a shot from just outside the penalty arc, Reis diving to his left too late. It was Thorrington's third goal in the last two games.

After Kheli Dube and Ralston entered as substitutes a few minutes later, the Revolution began dictating the tempo. Ralston, making his first appearance since sustaining a dislocated shoulder in the season opener, took over Castro's playmaking role, Castro moving to the left wing, and Dube replacing Cristman. Dube's shot was stopped following an Albright-Wells Thompson combination, the point-blank drive knocked away by Busch in the 74th minute.

Substitute King scored the third goal in the 76th, finishing a rebound after Reis blocked a Barrett shot. Blanco set up the first attempt, finding Barrett in the penalty arc, Barrett then eluding Albright.