Khano Smith came on as a late second-half substitute yesterday as the New England Revolution lost their opening MLS Eastern Conference play-off game 1-0 away to the Chicago Fire.

The six-foot-three Bermuda forward was introduced in the 78th minute in front of a 10,217 crowd as a replacement for the injured Joe Franchino, but had little impact on the left wing as the Revs desperately tried to find a reply to Justin Mapp?s first-half free kick from 25 yards.

The second leg of the opening play-off clash will be played next weekend at the Revolution?s Gillette Stadium in Boston, where Steve Nicol?s men will have to come up with something far better than yesterday?s pedestrian display to advance to the next phase.