Before 21,528 fans -- the largest postseason crowd ever at Toyota Park -- the Chicago Fire defeated the New England Revolution, 2-0, and advanced to MLS's Eastern Conference final against Real Salt Lake.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco had the winning goal late in the game, scoring from 12 yards after Patrick Nyarko broke free on the endline and fed him in the penalty area. Nyarko had come on for the injured Brian McBride.

Blanco Goal:


Guatemalan Marco Papa set up John Thorrington for the Fire's first goal in the 35th minute.

The Revs had their chances. Edgaras Jankauskas hit the crossbar in the first half. Late in the game with New England pressing for the aggregate equalizer, Pat Phelan had an open header but put it wide of the far post.

Chicago will host RSL in the Eastern final Saturday (TV: FSC, 7:30 pm ET).

Nov. 7 in Bridgeview, Ill.
Chicago 2 New England 0.
Goals:
CHI -- Thorrington 1 (Pappa 1, Prideaux 1) 35
CHI -- Blanco 1 (Nyarko 1) 83
(Aggregate: Chicago wins 3-2.)
New England -- Reis, Osei (Phelan, 86), Heaps, Barnes, Alston, Larentowicz, Joseph, Mansally (Castro, 46, Thompson, 69), Nyassi, Jankauskas, Dube.
Chicago -- Busch, Brown, Prideaux, Robinson, Woolard, Thorrington, Pause, Husidic, Pappa (Husidic, 88), Blanco, Rolfe, McBride (Nyarko, 56).
Yellow Cards:
NE -- Mansally (caution; Reckless Foul) 17
NE -- Jankauskas (caution; Reckless Tackle) 36
NE -- Larentowicz (caution; Reckless Tackle) 85
Referee: Alex Prus.
Att.: 21,528.