Fire, Revolution Tie 0-0

The New England Revolution lost control of their playoff fate and the Chicago Fire blew a chance to clinch a postseason berth in a 0-0 draw Saturday night.

While Chicago (10-7-12) remained in second place in the Eastern Conference, New England (10-10-9) fell into a tie with Toronto, D.C. United and FC Dallas for the league's eighth and final playoff spot.

The Revolution appeared to take control in the first minute when Kevin Alston pushed up the right channel and snapped a cross through toward Kheli Dube, but the striker lost his balance and fell to the ground as the ball sailed away.

New England continued its pressure in the 24th minute when Jeff Larentowicz fed a ball through to Sainey Nyassi, who charged ahead unmarked and fired a quick shot that Jon Busch saved.

Chicago began to find its form later in the first half. In the 30th minute, Chris Rolfe delivered a ball ahead to Patrick Nyarko, whose shot skipped wide of the far post. About 8 minutes later, Rolfe escaped two Revolution defenders and caught goalkeeper Matt Reis well off his line, but the midfielder lobbed the ball ahead and it bounced wide of the post.

The Revolution reclaimed the momentum in the second half, peppering Busch with shots from Dube and Kenny Mansally before the 50th minute.

The Fire nearly took of a mistake in the 63rd as Revolution defender Emmanuel Osei misplayed a ball in his own area. Rolfe pounced on it and went in alone on Reis before the keeper broke it up with a swipe at the ball and Rolfe's boot. It appeared Reis might be carded and a penalty awarded, but referee Jorge Gonzalez instead issued a yellow to Rolfe for embellishment.

With 10 minutes to play, the Fire issued another challenge when Brian McBride went down the right and sent a cross to Baggio Husidic, but the pass evaded the midfielder's left foot at the last moment.

Neither club lodged a serious threat in the remaining minutes.

Before the match, the Revolution announced assistant coach Paul Mariner had resigned to pursue a coaching position abroad.