Big Win for New England

Clint Dempsey scored four minutes into the game to lift New England over the Chicago Fire, 1-0, on Sunday and help the Revolution advance to the Major League Soccer finals.

The Revolution will play the Galaxy in the MLS Cup on Sunday in Frisco, Texas, in a rematch of the 2002 final, which the Galaxy won, 1-0, in double overtime.

“Sometimes you win games by attacking, some games you win by defending. Today we did both,” Revolution Coach Steve Nicol said. Gonzalo Segares’ apparent tying goal in stoppage time was disallowed because he was ruled to be offside.

Dan Hernandez quickly took a free kick after a Chicago foul, catching the Fire defense off-balance. He played the ball to Shalrie Joseph, who crossed it to the goal line, where a charging Dempsey touched it into the net.

Dempsey scored 10 goals during the regular season for New England.

“We did a good job of clearing the ball, but we have to do a better job of possessing the ball,” Dempsey said.

Matt Reis made seven saves to record his 11th shutout of the season. The Revolution gave up 13 goals in 16 regular-season home games.

Reis made a great save on Chad Barrett in the 63rd minute, a blast from the left wing that was earmarked for the right corner. He then stopped a right-footed drive by Thiago inside the penalty area destined for the left corner of the net.

On Saturday night, Landon Donovan scored twice to put Los Angeles in the MLS Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

New England, playing in its fourth consecutive Eastern Conference title match, earned its second trip to the MLS Cup.