The Chicago Fire finished third in the Eastern Conference in 2006 and that finish can be attributed to the team's stellar play after the All-Star game.

The team played so well in the second half under the direction of its young stars, who were all healthy and playing together for the first time in 2007.

Before we look at what to expect from who in 2007, it's important to understand just how much this team accomplished with its mix of veterans and young stars healthy late this season.

I crunched some numbers this morning and despite having covered the team all season, even I was surprised at some of the results.

Entering the All-Star game, the Fire were at perhaps their lowest point this season. They entered the break with only one win in the month of July and a 5 game winless streak. That streak was capped off with a demoralizing 0-0 tie with the last place Columbus Crew on July 29.

Helping to change the team's direction was the return of striker, Chris Rolfe. Injuries prevented Chris from having any chance at the spot on the national team for the World Cup that he was earlier rumored to receive. Rolfe returned shortly before the break on July 22 during the Fire's 1-1 tie with conference leaders D.C. United.

Able to get some game action before the break, Rolfe looked absolutely rejuvenated after the break and helped the Fire start a 9 game unbeaten streak following the MLS All-Star game.

When all was said and done in 2006, the Fire managed to climb from second to last to third place in the Eastern Conference. Their eight post All-Star game wins led MLS (New England was tied for second with six wins) as did their 25 second half points (New England was second with 22). New England's two losses coming out of the break were the least in MLS but Chicago was tied for second with only three.

In the midst of the stellar aforementioned MLS play, the Fire managed to take home their 4th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (more than any other MLS team).

Going undefeated in the tournament (4-0), fans also got a glimpse of the future with the play in net of backup goalkeeper Matt Pickens (gaining his first pro starts in place of injured starter Zach Thornton) and the offensive fire power of forward Calen Carr.

The play of these young stars gelled nicely with that of veterans like captain and midfielder Chris Armas as well as that of Tony Sanneh on defense.

You should've noticed a pretty obvious pattern in the above stats. The Fire and the New England Revolution were the two hottest teams in MLS entering the playoffs. So it's only fitting that the two clubs met last month in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Many considered the winner of that fiercely contested series to be the front runner for the 2006 MLS Cup... and they were right. New England takes on the Houston Dynamo this Sunday in the championship at Pizza Hut Park in Dallas.

So despite Chicago's early exit from the post season in 2006, it's important to look at just how much the team accomplished late when all of it's players were finally healthy.

Coming up next week, a look at what to expect from rising stars and team veterans during the 2007 Chicago Fire campaign.