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Larentowicz Laser Fires Revs Into Postseason
It took a late moment of brilliance from Jeff Larentowicz, but the Revolution’s 1-0 win over the Crew put them into the MLS playoffs.
Oct 25, 2009 9:08:02 PM
It wasn’t just win or go home for the New England Revolution on Sunday evening, but win or draw or go home. As we all know, that’s easier said than done when you’re playing the defending MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew, who don’t like surrendering points to anyone.
A slow game from start to finish, the Crew were eventually undone by a near unstoppable free kick. The Revolution returns to the playoffs yet again, having made it every year under coach Steve Nicol.
First Half
As the match opened up it appeared like the Crew didn’t want to surrender a goal and the Revolution were happy not to score one. Needing only a point to reach the post-season for the eighth straight season, New England sat back for most of the first half.
The first chance of the match came in the seventh minute when the New England won a corner on the near side of the field. Sent in short, Jeff Larentowicz was able to get a nice flick across the goal. Trying to clear it out of danger, Crew defender Any Iro actually played it towards his own net. MLS debutant Kenny Schoeni made a great save for the Crew to keep the score level.
Having already sealed the Supporters’ Shield and the top spot in the Eastern Conference, the lack of drive was evident on the Crew’s faces. Working as usual through Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus implemented a slow build to the match and didn’t really get much going in the first half.
New England kept working as they obviously needed a result more than Columbus and came back with a nice chance as the time ticked towards a half hour. Using some good interchange play at the top of the box, the ball was laid off to Larentowicz in the 27th minute and he shot low and hard, a ball that Schoeni grasped confidently.
Ten minutes later the Revolution almost bagged a cheap goal as their shot stopper Matt Reis sent a kick long towards the Crew end. Some miscommunication by the Columbus back four saw Schoeni down at the edge of the area with Revs captain Shalrie Joseph primed for a chip attempt. Sending the ball in just right of center, Joseph should have done much better as his attempt landed on top of the net, quite a ways off.
Columbus had their best chance of the half late on as Gino Padula sent a towering ball from left to right across goal from a very deep position. Spotting Schelotto perfectly, Padula’s ball was met by the Argentine’s head and was directed right at Reis at the far post.
Going into the break, the score suited both squads and neither managers could fault the effort exhibited.
Second Half
Things in the second 45 started the way the first half began: very slowly. The intentions of both teams were all too evident in a match that going into halftime looked destined to end scoreless.
The ball seemed to get clogged in the middle of the field, with very few chances generating at end of the pitch. The play of central players like Jospeh and Larentowicz of the Revs and Adam Moffat and Andy Carroll on the Crew’s side really made sure the distribution upfront would be limited at best.
Balls were played in and half chances were there for the taking, but everything seemed to end up in the hands of the goalies at either end as the second half moved into the latter stages.
In the 70th minute, the Revs were able to test rookie keeper Schoeni. New England captain Joseph took the ball just over halfway and played in a lovely bending ball to Edgaras Jankauskas. Using good instincts, Schoeni rushed the inswinging ball and prevented Jankauskas from being in alone on net. Well played by the Cincinnati native.
Then came the 79th minute. A minute that will go down as one of the biggest moments of the season for the Revolution. A free kick just outside the area was taken by Larentowicz and blasted seemingly through Schoeni, who couldn’t get his hands up quick enough. The goal gave the Revolution the lead and practically sealed their place in the MLS playoffs.
With only ten minutes for the Revs to surrender the two goals that would see them lose their newly-gained spot in the post-season, they made sure to tighten things up against a Crew side who don’t enjoy losing at home.
Luckily for Steve Nicol and all the New England faithful watching at home, his team were able to hold on to their cushion and because of it they officially qualify for the MLS playoffs.
Heading into the post-season, New England play the second-placed Chicago Fire, while Columbus will take on Real Salt Lake.
Shane Evans, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
A slow game from start to finish, the Crew were eventually undone by a near unstoppable free kick. The Revolution returns to the playoffs yet again, having made it every year under coach Steve Nicol.
First Half
As the match opened up it appeared like the Crew didn’t want to surrender a goal and the Revolution were happy not to score one. Needing only a point to reach the post-season for the eighth straight season, New England sat back for most of the first half.
The first chance of the match came in the seventh minute when the New England won a corner on the near side of the field. Sent in short, Jeff Larentowicz was able to get a nice flick across the goal. Trying to clear it out of danger, Crew defender Any Iro actually played it towards his own net. MLS debutant Kenny Schoeni made a great save for the Crew to keep the score level.
Having already sealed the Supporters’ Shield and the top spot in the Eastern Conference, the lack of drive was evident on the Crew’s faces. Working as usual through Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus implemented a slow build to the match and didn’t really get much going in the first half.
New England kept working as they obviously needed a result more than Columbus and came back with a nice chance as the time ticked towards a half hour. Using some good interchange play at the top of the box, the ball was laid off to Larentowicz in the 27th minute and he shot low and hard, a ball that Schoeni grasped confidently.
Ten minutes later the Revolution almost bagged a cheap goal as their shot stopper Matt Reis sent a kick long towards the Crew end. Some miscommunication by the Columbus back four saw Schoeni down at the edge of the area with Revs captain Shalrie Joseph primed for a chip attempt. Sending the ball in just right of center, Joseph should have done much better as his attempt landed on top of the net, quite a ways off.
Columbus had their best chance of the half late on as Gino Padula sent a towering ball from left to right across goal from a very deep position. Spotting Schelotto perfectly, Padula’s ball was met by the Argentine’s head and was directed right at Reis at the far post.
Going into the break, the score suited both squads and neither managers could fault the effort exhibited.
Second Half
Things in the second 45 started the way the first half began: very slowly. The intentions of both teams were all too evident in a match that going into halftime looked destined to end scoreless.
The ball seemed to get clogged in the middle of the field, with very few chances generating at end of the pitch. The play of central players like Jospeh and Larentowicz of the Revs and Adam Moffat and Andy Carroll on the Crew’s side really made sure the distribution upfront would be limited at best.
Balls were played in and half chances were there for the taking, but everything seemed to end up in the hands of the goalies at either end as the second half moved into the latter stages.
In the 70th minute, the Revs were able to test rookie keeper Schoeni. New England captain Joseph took the ball just over halfway and played in a lovely bending ball to Edgaras Jankauskas. Using good instincts, Schoeni rushed the inswinging ball and prevented Jankauskas from being in alone on net. Well played by the Cincinnati native.
Then came the 79th minute. A minute that will go down as one of the biggest moments of the season for the Revolution. A free kick just outside the area was taken by Larentowicz and blasted seemingly through Schoeni, who couldn’t get his hands up quick enough. The goal gave the Revolution the lead and practically sealed their place in the MLS playoffs.
With only ten minutes for the Revs to surrender the two goals that would see them lose their newly-gained spot in the post-season, they made sure to tighten things up against a Crew side who don’t enjoy losing at home.
Luckily for Steve Nicol and all the New England faithful watching at home, his team were able to hold on to their cushion and because of it they officially qualify for the MLS playoffs.
Heading into the post-season, New England play the second-placed Chicago Fire, while Columbus will take on Real Salt Lake.
Shane Evans, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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