FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The feeling is one the New England Revolution haven't experienced since 2001 when D.C. United beat them in all three meetings.
But Chicago's 2-1 victory at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night meant the Revs won't beat the Fire in the regular season after two losses earlier this season.
That swept feeling didn't go down well in the New England locker room, especially because both players and coaches felt referee Kevin Stott contributed to the team's third loss to the Fire this season.
Taylor Twellman made the game comfortable for the Revs with his third-minute goal. Chicago kept plenty of possession in the middle of the park, but struggled to create opportunities inside the penalty area.
"I thought we did well," Revs 'keeper Matt Reis said. "We had the lead. We were doing well. The red card affects us. They threw on more attackers and more attackers. We were just trying to hold on and we just couldn't do it."
It was all going to play until Shalrie Joseph knocked the ball out of Cuauhtemoc Blanco's hands as he went to take a throw-in and drew a second yellow card from Stott, in the 74th minute.
"Going down a man like we did put us in a tough situation," Reis said.
Coming as it did just after the completion of a pitched SuperLiga campaign, going down a man put just too much of a strain on the Revolution still on the field.
"We had nothing left in the tank after Tuesday. It was always going to be a problem but we defended well; we really didn't give them too many clear shots at goal," said Revolution coach Steve Nicol. "(Chicago) had a lot of the ball but, considering what happened on Tuesday, it was always to be expected."
That tough situation turned terrible quickly for the Revs after Gonzalo Segares hit a 30-yard hoper that swerved around Reis and into the net in the 81st minute.
"He hit it on frame," Reis said. "Sometimes, that's all you need to do."
If a point was disappointing, a loss was even worse. Wilman Conde poked home after Reis saved Tomasz Frankowski's initial shot to condemn the Revs to a third consecutive loss against the Fire.
Even with the trouble against Chicago this season, Twellman thinks his team shouldn't be concerned with the Fire closing the gap in the Eastern Conference.
"I'm not too concerned with it," Twellman said. "As long as we do our job and win our games, it doesn't matter what anyone else does."
For Twellman, the result put a damper on his first start of the season. The veteran striker has struggled with injuries this season, but played the full 90 minutes against Chicago.
"It's been a whirlwind, but it was good to warm up just like you were going to play a game," Twellman said. "I've been on the bench a couple of times, but there's nothing like starting. Obviously, I thank Stevie for giving me a shot again. I've been out for a while. It was fun."
Fire again roll to rout of Revolution
Revs return from SuperLiga, still grand
MLS Clubs Turn On Charm For McBride
Parma chief ‘bitter’ at drop
