MLS New England Revolution

Dynamo top Revs, 2-0

Published on May 3, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Stuart Holden and Brian Ching scored goals either side of halftime and goalkeeper Pat Onstad earned his third consecutive shutout, as the Houston Dynamo defeated the New England Revolution, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon amid rainy conditions at Gillette Stadium.

The shutout loss was the second straight for the Revolution (2-2-2, 8 pts.) after starting the season undefeated through its first four matches. Meanwhile, the Dynamo (2-2-2, 8 pts.) has now won two straight after opening the season winless in its first four matches.

New England started the contest in a 3-5-2 formation for the first time this season, with rookie Darrius Barnes playing in the center of the three-man backline and Mike Videira playing as the attacking midfielder in his first career start. However, the change didn't generate the desired offense, as the Revs were outshot, 14-3.

Another change to the Revolution's lineup came between the pipes, as goalkeeper Matt Reis returned to the starting lineup after missing four games with inflammation in his right knee. He was tested for the first time in 18th minute when Houston midfielder Brian Mullan weaved his way through a pair of Revs defenders on the right wing, then pulled a cross back to Kei Kamara at the penalty spot. Kamara connected on his first-time shot, but the effort was kicked away by Reis.

Reis wasn't able to stop Holden's 22nd-minute shot, however, as the visitors took a 1-0 lead on an uncharacteristic mistake by the New England goalkeeper. Holden ran onto a loose ball in the midfield and struck a low blast from 25 yards out in the right channel, and the skipping shot squirted under Reis and inside the right post.

New England struggled to muster a response in the first half, as the home side was outshot, 7-0, in the opening 45 minutes.

The Dynamo continued to create the majority of the scoring chances early in the second half, and the pressure paid off as the visitors doubled their lead through Ching in the 58th minute. Brad Davis sent an in-swinging corner kick to the six-yard box, where Ching rose and powered a header into the roof of the net.

The Revolution handed 18-year-old forward Stephane Assengue his MLS debut when he was introduced as a substitute in the 65th minute, as the Revs looked for a spark in their attack. The move almost paid off in the 72nd minute when Jay Heaps' lofted cross into the box fell to Assengue, but the Cameroonian's shot sailed just wide of the upper right corner.

The match quieted down in the closing 15 minutes, however, as the Dynamo protected its two-goal lead on the road and shut down the Revolution attack.

The Revs will return to the road for their next match on Saturday, May 9, when they'll meet the Chicago Fire for the first time since being eliminated by their Eastern Conference rival in the first round of the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs. The match is set to kick off from Toyota Park at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be televised live locally on TV38, while the action will also be available on the WEEI Radio Network.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 3, 2009


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