Revolution Dominate Sounders for 3rd Straight Win
Monday, May 12, 2014
It was billed as one of the biggest games of the season to this point. The New England Revolution, working on a 3-0-1 streak, welcomed the Seattle Sounders, winners of their previous five and a 5-0-1 streak, to Gillette Stadium. With both teams streaking coming into the game, something had to give.
At the end of this game, it was Seattle's streak that came to an end with the Revs winning in dominating fashion 5-0.
The action started quickly as Seattle got the first clear scoring chance in just the 3rd minute off the food of Lamar Neagle. The low drive was promptly turned away by Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth. The shoulders were not done with the early attack however, as Obafemi Martins nearly put in a header from close range in the 5th minute. Shuttleworth came up big yet again though, swallowing up the attack.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Revolution returned the attack, creating good chances on the Seattle end but could not get one past Stefan Frei until the 14th minute when Patrick Mullins cleaned up in front of the net to put the Revolution up 1-0. The play was set-up off a nice back-and-forth between Diego Fagundez and Chris Tierney. Tierney then fired a great low cross into the box and across to Teal Bunbury. Bunbury was unable to find the back of the net but Mullins was right there for his 2nd goal of the season and 2nd in as many games. The Revs attack was just warming up though.
The Sounders attack looked to answer with a solid offensive output over the next six-plus minutes, getting a great scoring opportunity off the head of Brad Evans. Evans received the ball after it was volleyed around the box following a corner, but pushed it wide to the right of the net.
From that point on, it was all Revs. They struck again in the 29th minute as Diego Fagundez opened his 2014 account with a blast to the near post. Fagundez was assisted nicely by Chris Tierney. Fagundez netted his 1st goal of the year after leading the Revolution with 13 goals in 2013. The goal made it 2-0 Revs.
It took just seven minutes for the Revs to find the net again as Teal Bunbury continued his hot play since moving to the outside in Jay Heaps' 4-1-4-1 system. Bunbury made a nice run to the front of the net and received a great pass from Lee Nguyen, putting a low shot on target. Although Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei was able to get in front of the initial try, he left a juicy rebound in front of the net and Bunbury pounced on it for his 2nd goal of the season. Bunbury showed his festive nature following the goal, revealing an "Love You Mom" tee shirt for mothers day following the goal. The goal made it 3-0 Revolution.
The offensive onslaught continued just five minutes later as Diego Fagundez found the net for the 2nd time in a 12 minute span. Fagundez received a long, looping pass from Teal Bunbury and hammered home a low shot to the far post. It is the first brace of the season for Fagundez. The goal made it 4-0 Revs heading into the half.
The 2nd half started much like the first ended, with the Revolution finding the back of the net again. The Revs received a bit of help from the Sounders this time, as a Teal Bunbury shot went off the chest of Chad Marshall and into the net. The own goal gave the Revs a 5-0 lead.
From there the Revolution coasted to an impressive 5-0 win over the Sounders, the 1st place team in the Western conference. For the Revs Bobby Shuttleworth was stellar again at home, posting a clean sheet and making a season-high six saves. With the clean sheet, the Revs home shutout streak reaches four games in which they are 3-0-1 and have held teams without a goal for 360-plus minutes. In that stretch they are outscoring teams 9-0.
The Revolution also were able to get back Kelyn Rowe from injury, coming in as a substitute in the 70th minute and seeing his first action since March 22. The win gives the Revolution 17 points on the season with a 5-3-2 record. They are tied atop the Eastern conference standings with Sporting Kansas City. The Revs will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union May 17 at 7 PM.
