|
|
Dube Hat-Trick Sparks Revolution Over Real Salt Lake
Kheli Dube hit a hat-trick to give the New England Revolution a small morsel of revenge over Real Salt Lake, who had crushed the Revs 6-0 last time out.
Aug 23, 2009 9:44:24 PM
FOXBORO, Mass. -- What a difference a few months make. Last time the New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake faced off, back in April, RSL ran out 6-0 winners. On Sunday evening at Gillette Stadium, the Revs turned the tables and thoroughly defeated the visitors from Utah, 3-1, thanks to three goals from Kheli Dube.
Real came into the match leading the league in shots taken and that trend didn’t change, as they finished with 19 shots on the night. But they were unable to put one past Revs keeper Matt Reis, who ended with eight saves.
First Half
Mauricio Castro, who made his first start of the season, announced the Revs’ attacking intentions just seven minutes after the kick off. Collecting the ball in space, he ripped a 30-yard left-footed shot that forced Nick Rimando into his first save of the game.
Castro, in for the inconsistent Kenny Mansally, was effective all night long and, just two minutes later, provided the critical pass for Dube’s opening goal. A long ball from defender Jay Heaps found Castro down the left side. The Honduran took one touch and curled a cross behind the defense to Dube, who timed his run to perfection, side-footing his shot through the unfortunate Rimando’s legs. 1-0 Revolution.
The movement was exquisite from the Revolution, something that hadn’t been seen often previously. Castro looked set to stake a claim for the starting role.
RSL should’ve equalized a few minutes later, though, when Robbie Findley took advantage of a misplay by Reis. Beckerman popped a ball over the top and Reis, coming off his line, failed to snag it at the top of the box. Findley hustled to the loose ball, deep near the endline on the left side. He cut in from an acute angle, just as Revs centerback Emmanuel Osei slid in, and his shot clanged by the post.
In the 29th minute, the home side doubled the lead. Another long ball down the left side was misread by RSL centerback Robbie Russell, and striker Mike Videira sneaked in alone on goal. His shot from the left side was saved well by Rimando, but Dube beat Borchers to the rebound and stabbed the ball home with the bottom of his left foot. 2-0 Revolution.
Second Half
Salt Lake must have suffered a withering speech from manager Jason Kreis, because they came out full of energy. In the 47th minute, a Findley volley from 18 yards forced a snap save from Reis, and in the 53rd minute a whipped cross from Findley found Will Johnson alone in the six-yard box. The Canadian did everything right with his header, except to beat the keeper, as Reis was able to parry the ball away at the last minute.
A minute later, Videira nearly claimed his first league goal of the season. Dube flicked a header into the RSL area, and Videira ran onto it with time to pick his corner. His outside-of-the-right-foot jab, however, curved wide of the right post.
The Revs were in the ascendancy again. In the 62nd minute, Dube received a lovely through-ball from Shalrie Joseph, but Rimando was able to block his shot at the last second.
Five minutes later, however, Rimando was helpless. Clever interplay on the right side between Wells Thompson, Dube, and Joseph eventually led to the ball being at Joseph’s feet on the right flank with no pressure. The Grenada captain curled a cross to the near post and Dube, his run behind Borchers perfectly timed, redirected the ball up and over Rimando’s shoulder at the near post. 3-0 Revolution.
In the 85th minute, Real pulled back a consolation goal when Pablo Campos’s knock-down header ricocheted off Revs defender Darrius Barnes, but it was never going to be enough to make a difference.
The win puts the Revs into a playoff spot, sitting seventh place in the full table. Salt Lake, still with a sniff at the post-season, remain three points out.
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Real came into the match leading the league in shots taken and that trend didn’t change, as they finished with 19 shots on the night. But they were unable to put one past Revs keeper Matt Reis, who ended with eight saves.
First Half
Mauricio Castro, who made his first start of the season, announced the Revs’ attacking intentions just seven minutes after the kick off. Collecting the ball in space, he ripped a 30-yard left-footed shot that forced Nick Rimando into his first save of the game.
Castro, in for the inconsistent Kenny Mansally, was effective all night long and, just two minutes later, provided the critical pass for Dube’s opening goal. A long ball from defender Jay Heaps found Castro down the left side. The Honduran took one touch and curled a cross behind the defense to Dube, who timed his run to perfection, side-footing his shot through the unfortunate Rimando’s legs. 1-0 Revolution.
The movement was exquisite from the Revolution, something that hadn’t been seen often previously. Castro looked set to stake a claim for the starting role.
RSL should’ve equalized a few minutes later, though, when Robbie Findley took advantage of a misplay by Reis. Beckerman popped a ball over the top and Reis, coming off his line, failed to snag it at the top of the box. Findley hustled to the loose ball, deep near the endline on the left side. He cut in from an acute angle, just as Revs centerback Emmanuel Osei slid in, and his shot clanged by the post.
In the 29th minute, the home side doubled the lead. Another long ball down the left side was misread by RSL centerback Robbie Russell, and striker Mike Videira sneaked in alone on goal. His shot from the left side was saved well by Rimando, but Dube beat Borchers to the rebound and stabbed the ball home with the bottom of his left foot. 2-0 Revolution.
Second Half
Salt Lake must have suffered a withering speech from manager Jason Kreis, because they came out full of energy. In the 47th minute, a Findley volley from 18 yards forced a snap save from Reis, and in the 53rd minute a whipped cross from Findley found Will Johnson alone in the six-yard box. The Canadian did everything right with his header, except to beat the keeper, as Reis was able to parry the ball away at the last minute.
A minute later, Videira nearly claimed his first league goal of the season. Dube flicked a header into the RSL area, and Videira ran onto it with time to pick his corner. His outside-of-the-right-foot jab, however, curved wide of the right post.
The Revs were in the ascendancy again. In the 62nd minute, Dube received a lovely through-ball from Shalrie Joseph, but Rimando was able to block his shot at the last second.
Five minutes later, however, Rimando was helpless. Clever interplay on the right side between Wells Thompson, Dube, and Joseph eventually led to the ball being at Joseph’s feet on the right flank with no pressure. The Grenada captain curled a cross to the near post and Dube, his run behind Borchers perfectly timed, redirected the ball up and over Rimando’s shoulder at the near post. 3-0 Revolution.
In the 85th minute, Real pulled back a consolation goal when Pablo Campos’s knock-down header ricocheted off Revs defender Darrius Barnes, but it was never going to be enough to make a difference.
The win puts the Revs into a playoff spot, sitting seventh place in the full table. Salt Lake, still with a sniff at the post-season, remain three points out.
Greg Lalas, 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.