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MLS New England Revolution

RSL substitute Tino Nunez's first career goal sinks Revs, snaps New England's seven-game unbeaten st

June 21, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Adam Cristman gave New England an early lead with his fourth goal of the season in the eighth minute, but Real Salt Lake responded with goals in the 11th and 60th minutes, as the Revolution fell to RSL, 2-1, on Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The loss ended New England's (8-4-3, 27 pts.) unbeaten run at seven games, which was the longest of the season by any team in MLS and the Revolution's longest since a similar seven-game run in 2007. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake (5-5-4, 19 pts.) remained undefeated at home and stretched its own unbeaten streak to five games, which ties a club record.

The meeting was the last-ever between the two sides at Rice-Eccles Stadium, as RSL is scheduled to move into its new soccer-specific facility late this season. The loss was the Revs' first-ever at Rice-Eccles Stadium, as they had gone 2-0-1 in three previous trips to Salt Lake City.

There were numerous chances for both sides in the opening minutes, with the first dangerous chance falling to Real Salt Lake in the sixth minute. Javier Morales - who leads MLS with seven assists - sent a curling free kick from the right wing into the area for Kenny Deuchar, but the Scottish forward's header struck the right post.

The Revs took the lead in the eighth minute, as Cristman capitalized on some defensive miscommunication between RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando and defender Nat Borchers. New England goalkeeper Matt Reis sent a long ball from his own box a full 75 yards down the field, and with the ball bouncing between them, both Rimando and Borchers hesitated. Cristman slipped in between them and guided a header past the stranded Rimando and into the open net.

Just three minutes later, Real Salt Lake leveled the score courtesy of an own goal by Revolution defender Jay Heaps. Morales delivered an in-swinging cross from the left wing towards the penalty spot, and with Robbie Findley rising to head the cross behind him, Heaps inadvertently re-directed a header into his own net.

Sainey Nyassi - who started on the left side of midfield in the absence of Mauricio Castro but later moved back to his more comfortable right wing position - forced Rimando into an important save in the 34th minute to keep the score even. Nyassi met Kheli Dube's long cross-field pass with a first-time shot from the right side of the box, but Rimando got down well to save the low drive.

Real Salt Lake had a chance to take the lead in first-half stoppage time, as Morales was presented with yet another free-kick opportunity, this time from 25 yards out and in the center of the field. The Argentine midfielder curled a right-footed shot around the wall and towards the upper corner, but Reis was well positioned and saved the shot comfortably.

After a slow opening 15 minutes following the halftime break, RSL took advantage of its first opportunity of the second half to take a 2-1 lead in the 60th minute. Morales' long-range shot was deflected but slipped through the New England backline to Tino Nunez, who ran onto the loose ball and slotted it past Reis to the far post. The goal was the first professional tally for Nunez, who entered the match for the injured Findley late in the first half.

The Revs had chances to score the equalizer in the 68th and 70th minutes, but failed to find the net on either occasion. First, Chris Albright's glancing header skipped wide of the left post, while Jeff Larentowicz's long-range shot was saved by Rimando just two minutes later.

Wellesley, Mass., native Chris Tierney was handed his MLS and Revolution debut in the 77th minute in an effort to push for an equalizer, but the Revs ultimately failed to create any serious scoring threats late in the match.

Reis finished with six saves, while Rimando stopped five shots to earn the win.

The Revs will return home for their next match on Saturday, June 28, when they will host Toronto FC at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

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