|
|
Revs Take Win Over D.C. Thanks To Late Penalty
New England fought back from a goal down to take a controversial 2-1 win over D.C. United.
May 30, 2009 10:57:06 PM
FOXBORO, Mass.-- One of the oldest rivalries in Major League Soccer resumed on Saturday night as D.C. United and the New England Revolution locked horns for the second time this season in Foxboro, Mass.
The teams came in on opposite ends of the streak spectrum, with New England winless in six matches while United were riding a seven game unbeaten streak. But midfielder Christian Gomez would not be available for D.C. while New England hoped to get a boost from striker Taylor Twellman who was available as a sub for the first time all season.
Twellman’s inclusion in the team would end up being huge as the Revs fought back from a goal down to win 2-1, with the returning hero being involved in both goals for the home side.
First Half
It was one way traffic for the first ten minutes of the match as D.C. came out pushing forward and carved out the best chances in the early going.
Luciano Emilio banged a header off the post in just the 7th minute from a Chris Pontius cross and had another solid look at goal in the 10th when Fred played him in clean on Revolution ‘keeper Matt Reis. But the early goal did not come and both sides began to settle into the match.
Chris Tierney had New England’s first chance to score in the 13th when a Darrius Barnes long throw fell kindly in front of the midfielder just a couple of yards from the D.C. goal. Unfortunately for New England, Tierney took one too many touches and was closed down quickly, causing a bit of a scramble in the box, but ultimately leading to nothing.
D.C. went back on the attack and twice midfielder Rodney Wallace had chances to put United in front with his head. In the 14th Pontius found the rookie drifting on the back post, but the header was high. Then in the 17th his second attempt, a diving effort after a fantastic ball from Santino Quaranta, tested Ries but was just close enough for the Revolution ‘keeper to get a touch on before scrambling to cover it up.
A change in the 25th saw Taylor Twellman take the pitch for the first time all season, as an injury to midfielder Jeff Larentowicz forced the striker in to action earlier than planned. But the moved seemed to bring some life to the Revolution attack as Twellman brought immediately found the ball and worked into some nice positions in the attack.
However, Twellman coming on the pitch couldn’t keep D.C. from taking the lead in the 36th. After banging the post with a shot just moments earlier, Fred got a second look at goal from an Emilio layoff and placed it calmly in the top corner, giving the visitors a lead that they would take into the break.
Second Half
United opened the second half with some solid possession and some great attacking play, but nothing that threatened New England’s net and in the 55th New England found an equalizer through Shalrie Joseph.
The move started with some nice holdup play from Twellman and midfielder Steve Ralston who eventually slid the ball wide to Kenny Mansally who replaced Tierney at the half. Mansally struck a nice cross to the back post where Joseph was making the late run and buried it calmly with his head.
The home side almost took the lead three minutes later when Sainey Nyassi made a nice driving run through the D.C. defense before powering his shot the wrong side of the post.
The momentary burst of energy from New England after the goal seemed to pass and the match fell back into a fairly even battle with both teams carving out a few solid chances, but nothing to really trouble either ‘keeper over the next quarter of an hour.
As has become the trend when these two teams meet the match took on a very rough tone in the late going. A Taylor Twellman shot from close range stopped easily by D.C. ‘keeper Josh Wicks, but Wicks seemed to run through Twellman causing a bit of a stir between the sides. But referee Hilario Grajeda did an excellent job of forcing cooler heads to prevail and the match headed into the final five minutes still level at one goal each.
However, the man in the middle still had a role to play, and in the 89th he would make a call that ended up deciding the game. A ball into the D.C. box found Twellman backing down his defender, and as the ball was cleared from danger, the veteran striker went to ground and was awarded a penalty.
Ralston stepped up and knocked home from the spot to give New England a 2-1 win on what could only be described a s a soft penalty so late in the match.
Allen Ramsey, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com’s MLS page.
The teams came in on opposite ends of the streak spectrum, with New England winless in six matches while United were riding a seven game unbeaten streak. But midfielder Christian Gomez would not be available for D.C. while New England hoped to get a boost from striker Taylor Twellman who was available as a sub for the first time all season.
Twellman’s inclusion in the team would end up being huge as the Revs fought back from a goal down to win 2-1, with the returning hero being involved in both goals for the home side.
First Half
It was one way traffic for the first ten minutes of the match as D.C. came out pushing forward and carved out the best chances in the early going.
Luciano Emilio banged a header off the post in just the 7th minute from a Chris Pontius cross and had another solid look at goal in the 10th when Fred played him in clean on Revolution ‘keeper Matt Reis. But the early goal did not come and both sides began to settle into the match.
Chris Tierney had New England’s first chance to score in the 13th when a Darrius Barnes long throw fell kindly in front of the midfielder just a couple of yards from the D.C. goal. Unfortunately for New England, Tierney took one too many touches and was closed down quickly, causing a bit of a scramble in the box, but ultimately leading to nothing.
D.C. went back on the attack and twice midfielder Rodney Wallace had chances to put United in front with his head. In the 14th Pontius found the rookie drifting on the back post, but the header was high. Then in the 17th his second attempt, a diving effort after a fantastic ball from Santino Quaranta, tested Ries but was just close enough for the Revolution ‘keeper to get a touch on before scrambling to cover it up.
A change in the 25th saw Taylor Twellman take the pitch for the first time all season, as an injury to midfielder Jeff Larentowicz forced the striker in to action earlier than planned. But the moved seemed to bring some life to the Revolution attack as Twellman brought immediately found the ball and worked into some nice positions in the attack.
However, Twellman coming on the pitch couldn’t keep D.C. from taking the lead in the 36th. After banging the post with a shot just moments earlier, Fred got a second look at goal from an Emilio layoff and placed it calmly in the top corner, giving the visitors a lead that they would take into the break.
Second Half
United opened the second half with some solid possession and some great attacking play, but nothing that threatened New England’s net and in the 55th New England found an equalizer through Shalrie Joseph.
The move started with some nice holdup play from Twellman and midfielder Steve Ralston who eventually slid the ball wide to Kenny Mansally who replaced Tierney at the half. Mansally struck a nice cross to the back post where Joseph was making the late run and buried it calmly with his head.
The home side almost took the lead three minutes later when Sainey Nyassi made a nice driving run through the D.C. defense before powering his shot the wrong side of the post.
The momentary burst of energy from New England after the goal seemed to pass and the match fell back into a fairly even battle with both teams carving out a few solid chances, but nothing to really trouble either ‘keeper over the next quarter of an hour.
As has become the trend when these two teams meet the match took on a very rough tone in the late going. A Taylor Twellman shot from close range stopped easily by D.C. ‘keeper Josh Wicks, but Wicks seemed to run through Twellman causing a bit of a stir between the sides. But referee Hilario Grajeda did an excellent job of forcing cooler heads to prevail and the match headed into the final five minutes still level at one goal each.
However, the man in the middle still had a role to play, and in the 89th he would make a call that ended up deciding the game. A ball into the D.C. box found Twellman backing down his defender, and as the ball was cleared from danger, the veteran striker went to ground and was awarded a penalty.
Ralston stepped up and knocked home from the spot to give New England a 2-1 win on what could only be described a s a soft penalty so late in the match.
Allen Ramsey, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com’s MLS page.
Make Your Prediction
New England Revolution - San Jose
New England Revolution
San Jose
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
New England Revolution 0-2 San Jose
- 15.48 %
-
New England Revolution 1-2 San Jose
- 9.52 %
-
New England Revolution 1-3 San Jose
- 8.33 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.