Revs Unbeaten Run Reaches Five With 2-1 Win Over Chicago
Sunday, September 07, 2014
The New England Revolution welcomed the Chicago Fire to Gillette Stadium, Sunday night, in the midst of a four game unbeaten run (3-0-1). The game was coming on a short week following the Revs 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday. Even with that being said, the Revs wanted to keep the momentum going.
They did just that, defeating the Fire 2-1 on the Gillette Stadium turf. The win elevated the Revolution to four straight wins and a five-game unbeaten run.
The action got going early as the Revs offense got an early attempt from Jermaine Jones. Jones got a bit of free space and ripper his first shot as a member of the Revolution. The shot bounced into the arms of Sean Johnson.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Fire got in on the attack in the 14th minute on a good run through the Revolution defense. Chicago sent a cross in to Sanna Nyassi, who was making a free run. He put a solid header on but the shot sailed over the net.
Chicago stayed on the attack and found the first goal of the match in the 29th minute. The goal came when Quincy Amarikwa delivered a very good cross into the box and Sanna Nyassi was able to elevate and knock home a header past Bobby Shuttleworth, making it 1-0. "It was tough to go down a goal, but I thought our reaction was really good," Revolution head coach Jay Heaps said following the game. "Two games in a row where we give the goal but our reactions were really good."
Nyassi almost found the net again in the 30th minute, but the Revolution lucked out when he hit the post. Nyassi got the ball and broke in alone after an errant Revolution pass. Nyassi ripped a shot that found its way past Shuttleworth and nearly made it 2-0, but it hit off the post.
Constant Attack
The Revolution nearly found the equalizer in the 37th minute following a free kick that was won by Kelyn Rowe. Rowe was pulled down by Lovel Palmer, who was shown a yellow card, and the Revs got a free kick on the left corner of the box from about 20 yards out. The free kick was taken by Lee Nguyen, who delivered a near-perfect service to Jermaine Jones. The ball appeared destined for the net but it sailed high off the foot of Jones and over the net.
The Revs did end up finding the net however, and it came on a corner in the 41st minute. The corner kick service was sent long, but Jones Goncalves did a great job to keep the ball from rolling out. Goncalves sent the ball to Lee Nguyen, who delivered a great service over the defense and to Fagundez, who easily headed home the goal. The goal was the 5th of the season for Fagundez and his first since May 24. Jose Goncalves and Lee Nguyen were credited with the assists. It was the first assist for Goncalves and the fourth assist for Nguyen.
"I think it was huge," Fagundez said when asked about the momentum swing his goal created. "Especially when we were down 1-0, coming back in the 45th minute. It's big to get the goal and then come back in the 2nd Half and start where you were. I think that's what we did."
For the second consecutive game, the Revolution got a late equalizer to send them into the half with momentum. The Revolution held a six to three advantage in shots with a two to one advantage in shots on target. The Revs also won the possession battle 63.8% to 36.2%.
After both teams traded possession for the start of the 2nd half, the Revs finally got the action going in the 56th minute. The chance came following a good back-and-forth between Diego Fagundez and Kelyn Rowe. Rowe received the pass from Fagundez and tried to sneak a shot past Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson, but Johnson made the diving save to his left.
Just minutes later the Revs were on the attack again. This time it came on another corner kick. The service came in low and hard from Rowe and a diving Darrius Barnes put a header on target with a lot of momentum. The header was turned away by Johnson on an amazing diving save to his left.
It did not take the Revs to find the goal, however, as substitute Charlie Davies came in to make an instant impact. Davies came on the field in the 58th minute and found the net in the 60th. The goal was set up by Jermaine Jones. Jones got the ball on the Revs side of midfield and made his way through four Chicago defenders before laying off a perfect left-footed pass to Davies. The pass pt Davies one-on-one with Sean Johnson, who he beat with a shot to the far post. It was the second assist for Jones since joining the Revolution and the third goal of the season for Davies.
"It was my job to come on the field and change the game," Davies said following the win. "I obviously wanted to come in and make an immediate impace. I was lucky enough to have Jermaine play me a great ball. As a strike you have to make sure to put away those chances and I amde sure to take full advantage of it."
"I know that with Charlie we have a fast guy in front," Jones said when asked about setting up the game-winner. "He needs the ball in space so I tried to get the guy on my back going into the dribbling. I'm happy he scored the goal and we win."
"That's why I brought him to the club," Davies joked when asked about the assist from Jones. "He's a tremendous player and has so much experience. And he's a player that can create opportunities for me."
The Revolution were content to sit behind the ball and defend the remainder of the game, finishing out the 2-1 victory. Jermaine Jones went 90 minutes for the Revolution, getting pulled in stoppage time of the 2nd half. "I think that we're starting to hit full stride at the right time," Davies said. "But I think the best part is that we're only going to get better."
With the win, the Revolution now have 39 points and a 12-12-3 record. They will welcome Montreal to Gillette Stadium on Saturday.
Related Slideshow: New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire - 9/7/2014
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