Photo by Winslow Townson/USA Today Sports
By CARL SETTERLUND
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It’s starting to feel an awful lot like 2014 at Gillette Stadium.
The New England Revolution took the field with first place in the Eastern Conference on the line and came away their sixth straight win, downing the rival New York Red Bulls, 2-1, on a 65th-minute tally by Kelyn Rowe in front of a sparse midweek crowd at Gillette Stadium.
“It’s the end of the year and you have to fight for points,” Rowe said. “This one especially because it bumps us up to first place.”
The Revs are now 7-0-1 in their last eight games, beating the Red Bulls despite the absence Jermaine Jones while maintain a level of play that brings to mind their scintillating close to last season.
One of the differences, though, is the performance of 20-year-old winger Diego Fagundez, who scored for a fourth straight game, putting the Revs ahead initially in the second minute.
The victory sends the Revolution (13-9-7) to the top of conference with 46 points, which is one point ahead of the Red Bulls (13-8-6), although New York still has two games in hand.
“It wasn’t a good performance for us, one of our worst of the year,” Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch said. “It’s so frustrating to know that this was a big game, with first place on the line and to come to a tough place and not be at our best.”
Mike Grella had the only goal for the Red Bulls, but it was a good one, bombing in Jose Goncalves’ failed clearance on an unstoppable shot from over 20 yards out in the sixth minute.
Fagundez started the scoring just past the minute mark off a Lee Nguyen free kick from the Revs’ own end. Juan Agudelo showed deft touch, redirecting Nguyen’s ball over to Fagundez in the left side of the box. Goalkeeper Luis Robles got a glove on it but couldn’t stop the near post finish.
Grella started the sequence on his goal with a long pass to Sacha Kljestan. He then sent the ball to left back Kemar Lawrence and Goncalves sent his centering pass off the crossbar and out to Grella.
Rowe broke the 1-1 tie just past the hour mark after the Revs were able to keep Daigo Kobayashi’s left side corner in the area. Scott Caldwell was eventually able to get a clean foot on it to advance the ball to Rowe, who managed to stay onside and finish out in front.
“I thought Kelyn and Diego (were) finding good spots whether it’s up the field or pinching in,” Revs coach Jay Heaps said. They’re starting to be real seamless in finding the right spot and the balance of how far away they are from Scotty or Lee.”
Dax McCarty denied another potential Revolution goal in the 21st minute, getting back in time to defend the left post on a Nguyen free kick that looked headed for the inside netting.
Fagundez returned the favor in the 74th minute when McCarty sent a diving header on frame. It looked like goalie Bobby Shuttleworth might not get there, but Fagundez cleared the ball off the line.
McCarty and Connor Lade will both be suspended for the Red Bulls’ game against the Portland Timbers on Sunday due to yellow card accumulation.
“I’m not concerned about that,” Marsch said. “We’ve got a deep group here. We’ve got a bunch of guys who understand their roles. So it’ll be a good opportunity for some different guys to step on the field and now show what they are about.”
The Revs will look to extend their winning streak on Saturday on the road against the Montreal Impact.
Such a huge disconnect between the home and away performances for RBNY. Outside of the first twenty minutes against Chicago on Friday RBNY have been totally dominant at home since late June but struggle big time on the road. The performance yesterday was better than the game in Chicago last month at least.
This game was bitter sweet (win/win), I love the Klestan, McCarthy, Grella collaboration but yet I also like the Lee Nyugen, Agudelo, Rowe partnership……… oh well
Wow,…no McCarty or Lade for Portland match. McCarty’s absence really hurts. Maybe a weekend off and some rest will help Dax as they head to the playoffs. Will Veron get the start?
Difficult to see Red Bulls winning the Supporters Shield if they lose in Portland. Nevertheless, they have exceeded expectations to this point,…their run these past ten games has been impressive. Stay healthy!!
Yes, that will be a test. They looked tired out there, but NE also had a weekend game, so that’s no excuse. In any event, the rest may be good for McCarty and Lade. (And thanks again, MLS, for a bizarre schedule that liberally mixes ten-day layoffs with stretches of three games in eight days. But we just love those wonderful exhibitions in the summer!) :-((
I still worry about the depth on defense. Zubar is not close to top form, and Miazga will be gone for a long stretch in October. I think a realstic goal is a top-two finish in the East, to avoid a first-round knockout game.
The schedule gluts aren’t due to a couple of friendlies in July. I get you don’t like them (I don’t care about them either) but RBNY is not going to miss chance sto fill RBA at extortionate prices. Nor should they.
Also do the Red Bulls have to release Miazga for the whole of the Olympic qualifying tournament? The US’s qualifying group is a joke and RBNY should keep Miazga around as long as possible.
Wow
Fagundez is only 20.
Revs have to be the team to beat right now and not just in the East.
I’m not sure about that. LA Galaxy?
The LA that lost to SJ or the LA that couldn’t score at home against Montreal?
Hottest teams over the last 8:
Revs 7-0-1
LA 5-2-1 (they do have multiple multiple goal wins)
Red Bulls 5-2-1
Vancouver 5-2-1
Dallas 5-3-0
Crew 4-2-2
SJ 4-2-2
RSL 4-4-0
Indeed’…the Revs are hot and fun to watch. That said, I’ll stand by the Galaxy with Keane, Zardis, GDS, Gerard, Llegett, Gonzalez, etc.
True to Rev form. Turn it on at the end of the season
Anytime the Red Bulls lose I’m happy.
Let it go Mr. Olsen