Game 1 of the 2006 MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals is in the books and the Chicago Fire head to New England for game 2 with the momentum. The Men in Red defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 on Sunday at Toyota Park.

The style of play was physical on Sunday. 38 personal fouls were commited. 20 of those came during the first half.

The only score of the game also came in the first half.

A foul on Fire captain Chris Armas led to a Chicago freekick in the 35th. Justin Mapp put that freekick over the wall and into the top right corner of the net for his first career MLS Cup Playoff goal.

That goal was all the offense the Fire would need. Goalkeeper Matt Pickens made eight saves in his first postseason start. That included stopping a near equalizer in the 64th from Revolution forward Taylor Twellman.

Twellman has had the Fire's number all season. In five meetings this season (MLS and Open Cup play) Twellman tallied either a goal or assist in four of them. So Picken's late save was a crucial one.

Back to Sunday's physical play. Yesterday afternoon, MLS announced the one game suspenion and five hundred dollar fine of New England midfielder Shalrie Joseph. A Joseph elbow to the neck of Fire midfielder Ivan Guerrero was the reason for the suspension.

As a result, Joseph will miss Saturday's pivotal game 2 finale in New England. Ironically, Sunday's meeting with the Fire was Joseph's first game back with his team after hand surgery sidelined him in September.

With a one goal to nil lead in this two game aggregate series, the Men in Red can head to the Eastern Conference Finals with either a win or a tie during game 2 this Saturday at Foxboro.