MLS: New England 0, Chicago 0 (tie)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The New England Revolution and the Chicago Fire battled to a 0-0 draw in chilled conditions Thursday to open the MLS playoffs.

Although New England could not produce a goal on its home field in the first match of the conference semifinal series, the Revolution managed to overcome injuries and suspensions to keep alive their hopes of reaching the league title game for the fourth straight year.

The teams will meet again next Thursday in Chicago, with the winner of that game advancing to the conference final.

New England played without its top three scorers -- Steve Ralston, Taylor Twellman and Adam Cristman. All of them are injured, and regular starters Khano Smith and Gabriel Badilla had to sit out the game with suspensions.

Chicago outscored New England in their three regular-season meetings by a combined 9-1.

Temperatures hovered near the freezing mark and the game drew an estimated crowd of 5,000.

The other three playoff series get under way Saturday with Columbus meeting Kansas City, Houston taking on New York and Chivas USA facing Real Salt Lake.