BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Chris Rolfe had a goal and an assist, and the Chicago Fire finally figured out how to beat the New England Revolution in the MLS playoffs with a 3-0 victory Thursday night that eliminated the defending Eastern Conference champions.
“It’s a big relief,” Fire coach Denis Hamlett said. “These are the guys that have knocked us out of the playoffs — I keep losing track of how many years.”
Wilman Conde and Gonzalo Segares also scored for the Fire, which will play Columbus or Kansas City next Thursday for the Eastern Conference title.
The Crew and Wizards play Saturday night in Columbus.
Chicago and New England have met in the playoffs six of the last seven seasons, with the Revolution winning four of the matchups — including each of the last three years.
• D.C. United forward Jaime Moreno, the MLS’ all-time leading scorer with 122 goals and 99 assists, underwent knee surgery and is expected to be ready for next season.
Stenson takes one-stroke lead
SHANGHAI, China — Henrik Stenson shot a 7-under 65 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the HSBC Champions.
The Swede dropped a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th, putting him a shot ahead of four of the game’s top players: Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, defending champion Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott.
Garcia nearly tied for the lead, but the Spaniard missed a 4-foot eagle putt on the 18th.
• Troy Matteson opened with an eagle on the Palm Course, ran off three straight birdies at the turn and wound up with a career-low round of 9-under 63 to take a one-shot lead at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Jimmy Walker, who needs a victory in the PGA Tour’s final tournament to avoid going back to Q-school, Scott Verplank and Kevin Streelman were tied for second.
The most notable round of the day might have been the 70 from Erik Compton, playing on a sponsor’s exemption. The 28-year-old Compton received his second heart transplant just six months ago and recently advanced through the first stage of Q-school.
Footnotes.
G. Larry James, who won gold and silver medals in track in the 1968 Olympics, died of cancer in Galloway Township, N.J. James, nicknamed “The Mighty Burner,” was 61.
• Ara Abrahamian, the Swedish wrestler who dropped his bronze medal in protest at the Beijing Olympics, was banned for two years along with his coach for “scandalous behavior,” the sport’s governing body said.
• Relief pitcher Damaso Marte’s $6 million option was declined by the Yankees, who chose to pay the left-hander a $250,000 buyout.
• The Washington Mystics named Julie Plank head coach. She replaces interim coach Jessie Kenlaw, who was promoted after Tree Rollins was fired in July.
• J.B. Mauney won the fourth round of the PBR Built Ford Tough World Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, scoring 93.75 points on D&H Cattle Company’s Crosswired to leave only himself and season leader Guilherme Marchi in title contention.
The Associated Press
