At the start of this season former Chadwick School star John Thorrington, waived by the Chicago Fire, failed to hook on with either the Galaxy or Chivas USA.

But he stayed fit playing with his brother’s Palos Verdes Peninsula club team, Fram, and after re-signing with Chicago and playing just two minutes for the Fire before Sunday, delivered a dramatic goal in second half stoppage time with a calmly taken chip over Joe Cannon that killed off the Galaxy’s season and sent the Fire into the playoffs.

The Fire’s 1-0 win means Chivas USA begins the playoffs Thursday in Kansas City.

Updated: Game story is here.

And with the end of the Galaxy’s season, this column was inevitable.