Revolution Bested by Red Bulls

The New England Revolution will go into the World Cup break on a two-game losing streak as they were downed 2-0 by the New York Red Bulls on Sunday. Eric Alexander and Peguy Luyindula notched goals for the Red Bulls to give the team its first win at Gillette Stadium since 2002.

For the second straight week, the Revs found themselves with an early deficit as Alexander nodded in Lloyd Sam’s cross in the 17^th minute. The goal was a result of poor communication as Bobby Shuttleworth collided with Andy Dorman to leave the goal unmanned.

“I moved back to try to get out of Bobby’s way and I ended up getting in his way,” Dorman explained. “I take responsibility for that. I’m not 100 percent sure if he was going to come out for the ball but when I moved back I ended up in his way and killed all his momentum when he was coming out for the cross.”

The Revs were not discouraged by the mistake as they actively pursued an equalizer. In the 22^nd minute, Lee Nguyen offered a long range effort that was saved by Luis Robles. Four minutes later, Daigo Kobayashi hit a right footed shot from outside the box over the net. The Revs tried a different strategy in the 31^st minute when Nguyen found Teal Bunbury wide, but his powerful shot was hit directly at Robles.

The Revolution’s best first half opportunity came just before the break. In the 44^th minute, Fagundez made a darting run to the right side of the penalty box before launching a shot. The shot beat Robles, but bounced off the far post before eventually being dealt with by a Red Bulls defender.

“It wasn’t our night,” Fagundez said. “We fought, we tried to do everything we could. Hit the post, a couple of just good chances in the six and we just couldn’t finish.”

Jay Heaps made a change at halftime by inserting Kelyn Rowe for Patrick Mullins. The substitution ended the rookie’s five-game run of 90 minute performances. Heaps stated that the switch was purely tactical.

“He wanted to add a spark to the game and obviously, with whom he brought on–Kelyn–he felt that was best for the team at the time,” Mullins reflected. “He came in, and did well and tried to provide a spark.”

It was a defensive player that almost got the Revs on the scoreboard as Andrew Farrell marched into the penalty area in the 50^th minute. The bearded right back got the ball after a Red Bulls mistake, but the subsequent shot was directly at Robles.

The Revs resorted to long shots with New York players positioning themselves behind the ball. Kobayashi, Nguyen and Tierney were all seen launching shots unsuccessfully. The Revs would end the night with 22 shots with nine being on target.

Robles made an outstanding stop in the 70^th minute when Ibrahim Sekagya nearly scored an own goal. The mishap happened after Tierney sent in a free kick from the right side. Sekagya was trying to prevent Jose Goncalves from getting the ball, but he nearly put it into the back of the net.

Luyindula added an insurance goal for the visitors in the 77^th minute when his long-range effort beat Shuttleworth. The play started with a free kick that wasn’t properly cleared. The 35-year-old put a powerful half-volley past Shuttleworth for his third goal of the year.

Heaps hoped that Saer Sene could change the complexion of the game when he swapped the Frenchman for Dorman in the 80^th minute. The appearance was Sene’s first since April 19^th. Heaps praised the work Sene did in his return.

“I thought (Saer Sene) did a good job,” Heaps said. “He’s returning back to training, he had some personal issues that he was dealing with and came back in and has been working hard to get back in. I thought he had a great week of training the last couple of weeks and I thought he handled it well tonight. I thought he was dangerous tonight.”

The Revs nearly grabbed a goal in the 90^th minute when Fagundez squared the ball to Bunbury. The ball was deflected as it rolled across the goalmouth, which prevented the striker from getting a touch on it.

The game would end 2-0, giving the Revs their first home loss of the year. The team will now participate in a two-week break from league play which coincides with group play at the World Cup.

(Image courtesy of Kari Heistad)