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Revs shut down Sporting KC in 0-0 tie

SKCNewEngland (Getty)

Sporting Kansas City came back from a three-game road trip to a stadium full of fans, but they couldn't deliver those fans any goals.

New England goalkeeper Matt Reis made six saves to help the Revs earn a valuable road point in a 0-0 draw against Sporting KC at Livestrong Sporting Park on Saturday night.

Sporting KC had the edge in possession, shots and shots on goal, but continued their recent offensive struggles at home. Saturday's shutout marked the fourth straight time Sporting KC has failed to score at home in league play.

The draw marked just the third time this year that New England came away from a road trip with at least a point.

Here are the match highlights:

What did you think of the match? Starting to wonder when Sporting KC's offense will get going? Impressed with the Revs defense tonight?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. fwiw, I can tell you that when Zusi doesn’t play (see the Columbus and Houston road games this week) KC’s ability to control the ball in midfield declines substantially, and their possession rate declines with it. That said, his shot has completely disappeared this season, and he hasn’t created as many chances off passes through the middle as a player in his position should.

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  2. I watched this game and my one impression was that Zusi is highly overrated. Good, not great and certainly not NAT quality

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  3. Sitting in the stands, I was certainly impressed w/ Reis tonight–the Revs defense was good as well, but Sporting wins 1-0 without Reis’ excellent save on Peterson’s header early in the second half. He’s certainly MOTM.

    As for the game as a whole, it’s hard to say whether I’m bummed that Sporting didn’t get three points since they controlled possession the whole second half but couldn’t cash anything in, or pleased that Sporting got a point because New England maybe actually scored in the fifteenth minute. My seats are down on that side of the stadium about two yards from the goal line, and my initial reaction was that the NE header crossed the line. Watching the replay, I really have no idea. Neilson was standing on the line and jumped backwards, but his arms were in front of him. The linesman was in good position, and called it no goal right away, but it was very, very close. Certainly another video clip for the “we need goal line technology” reel.

    As for getting the Sporting offense going, I think at this point it is pretty clear that, of all the contenders this year, SKC might have the least technical proficiency when it comes to finishing. They match anyone in the league on fitness and athleticism, they play ferocious defense (2nd in the league in goals allowed), and they tend to win the ball enough to generate a lot of chances (lead the league in shots), but the team lacks a skillful finisher, and that’s gonna produce droughts (9th in the league in goals scored). Against teams that keep their composure, as NE did tonight, just blasting crosses into the box and hoping you get the right bounce isn’t going to get it done.

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