Blanco scores, assists to put Fire through

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Mexico midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco had a goal and an assist Wednesday to lead the Chicago Fire into the final of the SuperLiga with a 2-1 win over the New England Revolution.

Chicago will host the title game of the tournament for North American pro clubs Aug. 5 against Mexican team Tigres UANL, which beat Santos Laguna 3-2 in the second semifinal of the night.

New England was the defending SuperLiga champion.

Blanco's goal on a free kick in the 63rd minute put the Fire ahead for good.

"You need big plays to win and our big players stepped up and made great plays," Chicago Coach Dennis Hamlett said.

He also helped Chicago take the lead in the 33rd when he lofted a pass to striker Brian McBride, who booted it past Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.

New England's Edgeras Jankauskas tied it in the 44th when his bicycle kick deflected off Chicago midfielder John Thorrington and past goalkeeper Jon Busch.

The Revolution nearly tied it minutes later when Kenny Mansally's header hit the crossbar and again in the 80th minute when Kheli Dube's shot also hit the crossbar.

New England, with seven players out due to injury, suspension or national team duties, dominated the final third of the game and stoppage time.

"We didn't get what we deserved," said New England Coach Steve Nicol. "We made chances, but we were just a wee bit off when it came time to put the ball in the back of the net."

In the second semifinal, Brazilian striker Itamar Batista scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute with Tigres UANL playing short-handed.

Tigres jumped on its rival from Mexico's Primera Division quickly in what was an entertaining, wide-open game. Jesus Molina picked a corner kick out of the air and put the ball past Santos goalie Oswaldo Sanchez in the second minute to make it 1-0.

Lucas Lobos' crossfield pass caught Jose Francisco Fonseca in full stride and he easily beat Sanchez to make it to 2-0 in the 18th minute.

Carlos Quintero headed home a cross from Jorge Estrada to make it 2-1 in the 26th minute.

Tigres star Argentinean midfielder Lobos earned his second yellow card in the 69th minute and will miss the Superliga final.

Batista came in all alone and launched a shot between Sanchez's legs and into the goal.

Francisco Torres' header for Santos Laguna during stoppage time closed it to 3-2.