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MLS New England Revolution

Noonan, Revs tame Red Bulls, 1-0

September 9, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Foxborough, Mass. - Pat Noonan's first goal of the season set the tone early for the Revs as the New England Revolution defeated the New York Red Bulls, 1-0, Saturday evening at Gillette Stadium. The goal was Noonan's 11th of his career against the New York-area club in just 14 regular-season games. Revs keeper Matt Reis earned his eighth shutout of the season with two saves.

Noonan, who started at forward and made his return to the field after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury, took a right-footed shot from the corner of the 18-yard box as he ran down the left center channel, firing into the side netting of the far post past Red Bulls keeper Jon Conway in the eighth minute. Defender Jay Heaps began the play out of the back by finding Steve Ralston on the right wing. Ralston then sent a perfectly-curled through pass to spring Noonan as he ran toward goal.

The victory extended New England's (8-8-10, 34 pts.) home unbeaten streak against New York to eight games (7-0-2) dating back to the end of the 2002 season. New York (6-9-11, 29 pts.) dropped its third game under new head coach Bruce Arena since the former U.S. Men's National Team manager took over the club in mid-August.

With the win, third-place New England kept pace in the Eastern Conference standings as both second-place Chicago (38 pts.) and fourth-place Kansas City (33 pts.) also produced victories on Saturday.

New England came out on the attack to open the game, producing several chances early, in addition to Noonan's goal. The Revs' attack was dealt a blow in the 19th minute, however, when Noonan went to the ground with a hip injury, forcing him to leave the game to be replaced by midfielder Jeff Larentowicz.

On the restart after the substitution, Taylor Twellman had a chance to put New England up 2-0. Twellman, who took a season-high seven shots, evaded a challenge by Red Bulls defender Marvelle Wynne on the edge of the area and worked in close for a one-on-one with Conway in the 20th minute, but his shot was straight at the keeper for the save.

New York didn't get its first shot on goal until the 34th minute when Amado Guevara tested Reis, who made the save on the Honduran's effort.

In the second half, the Red Bulls asserted themselves and had several good attacking flurries, which produced the game's first three corner kicks for either team. The Revs then reasserted their control over the midfield possession, winning loose balls and stringing together crisp passing combinations, which set up 11 shots, including six on target.

With midfielder Shalrie Joseph returning after a one-game suspension, New England's deputy captain bossed the match and produced several turnovers that generated one-on-one chances in front of goal. Dempsey had a chance in the 50th minute, mishitting his shot on Conway with an open net; Twellman then had a go in the 64th minute, though Conway made the save on his attempt; and Andy Dorman broke an offside trap on a through ball from Dempsey and went in alone in the 69th, but Dorman also misfired on his attempt on goal.

Twellman again had a chance in the 86th minute when he latched on to the end of substitute winger Khano Smith cross and first-timed a volley that Conway managed to palm over the crossbar.

New York's best chance of the night came in the 51st minute when Edson Buddle got on the end of a Guevara cross and headed the ball toward the far, left corner of the net from the right side of the box. Reis, who was off his line, scurried make the save and prevent the equalizing goal.

The Revs played the final nine minutes of the game up a man after Guevara was ejected from the match. Guevara was first shown a second yellow card for dissent after being whistled for a foul on Larentowicz. Moments later, he was shown a second yellow when he continued to argue with referee Brian Hall and received his marching orders.

New York had the game's final chance in stoppage time when Ralston was whistled for a questionable foul on Chris Henderson, setting up a Red Bulls free kick near the edge of the 18-yard box. Dema Kovalenko's service, however, hit the Revs' four-man wall allowing New England the clear the ball as the final whistle was blown.

In addition to recording his second assist of the season - and the 104th of his 11-year MLS career to rank third in the category - Ralston also extended one of his other MLS records on Saturday evening. By playing into the 82nd minute, Ralston played his 27,000th career minute in the league, becoming the first player to reach that milestone in MLS history. Ralston has passed the 25,000 and 26,000-minute marks this season, as well, with all three marks coincidently coming against New York.

The Revs return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 13, when they host league-leaders D.C. United and teenage phenom Freddy Adu at Gillette Stadium in a 7:30 p.m. match. Call 1-877-GET-REVS for ticket information.

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