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Revs miss chances in scoreless draw with Rapids

Dabo

By IAN HOLLIDAY

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution hit the crossbar once in each half, but couldn't find the back of the net in a scoreless draw against the Colorado Rapids at Gillette Stadium Saturday night.

The result hurts the Revs more than the Rapids, as the home side felt it played well enough to win.

"I think with a slice of luck, a bounce here and there, we would have gotten three points," said defender Chris Tierney after the game. "We definitely created enough chances to win the game, so we'll take that and we'll go onto the next one."

The point moves Colorado to 4-3-2 (15 points) on the season, while New England goes to 2-3-4 (10 points).

Ryan Cochrane and Benny Feilhaber were the players who hit the crossbar, but the Revolution's best chance came from Shalrie Joseph. The Revs' captain found himself with a free header from point blank range in the 57th minute on a Kenny Mansally corner kick, but Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens did well to fist the hard shot away.

Colorado's best chance came in the form of a long-range drive from Andre Akpan in the 31st minute. The blast knuckled on frame, forcing Revs' goalkeeper Matt Reis to punch it over the bar. Akpan was a spark for the Rapids all night after replacing Caleb Folan, who came out with a strained groin in the 30th minute.

Cochrane rose to head a Chris Tierney freekick against the crossbar in the 15th minute, and Feilhaber nearly got his first goal since joining the Revs late last month when he struck a Sainey Nyassi return-pass off the corner of the far post and the crossbar in the 74th minute.

There were positives and negatives for both sides after the match. Colorado was able to overcome its injuries and secure a point and a clean sheet on the road. The Revs earned their first shutout of the season and controlled possession better than they have all year, but head coach Steve Nicol was disappointed with the lack of finishing.

"We have to do better," Nicol said after the game. "We didn't give anything up tonight and we passed it a little better tonight, but we're lacking creativity in the final third, and I don't think anybody can dispute that."

Both clubs return to action on Saturday, May 14. Colorado travels to D.C. United, while the Revs will host Vancouver.

Comments

  1. Nyassi has been a frustrating player, lots of speed yet no idea how to use it, but Lekic needs to grow up as well. His screaming after every play is getting tiresome.

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  2. Lekic looks like a locker room problem. Benny F looked very frustrated also. Joseph needs to step up and be a captain.They look like a team of misfits right now.

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  3. Scoreless draw at home against a team without forwards – very, very bad for Revs.
    But how about that scene shown on TV the end with Lekic yelling for ball from Nyassi, running up to the goal and kicking the side netting, yelling at Nyassi all the way back to mifield, Nyassi yelling back at Lekic, then a Rapids players counseling Nyassi – then Lekic yelling as the game ended, yelling at Nicol’s ear, forgetting that Nicol doesn’t speak English – best drama of the year.

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