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MLS New England Revolution

Pat Noonan hat trick paces Revolution to 3-2 win over Wizards

June 2, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Kansas City, MO- The New England Revolution (2-4-3, 9 points) beat the Kansas City Wizards (3-4-2, 11 points) with a 90th minute goal - Pat Noonan's third of the match - by a score of 3-2 at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, June 2nd. The Revs scored the first goal of the game in the 16th minute, but allowed two in a four-minute span and trailed 2-1 at halftime. New England, however, came back to score goals in the 86th and 90th minute and claimed their first victory in their last five matches.

With the Revs on the attack in the 16th minute, Steve Ralston played a cross in from the left wing. After Wizards defender Shavar Thomas headed the ball clear of the area, Ralston put a right-footed cross on to the head Noonan who flicked the ball over the head of Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola charging out of goal for his third goal of the season to give New England the 1-0 lead.

The goal marked the earliest point in a game that the Wizards have given up a goal this season, as well as only the third goal Kansas City had given up at home in 2004. It was also the first time that the Wizards had trailed at home this year.

In the 28th minute, with Kansas City on the attack, Wizards defender Jose Burciaga Jr. took a shot into the box that Revs defender Shalrie Joseph blocked and knocked back out to the penalty arc where Burciaga lined up for a second shot. As Burciaga wound up to take a shot, Revs defender Avery John made a sliding tackle, getting the ball cleanly but also taking Burciaga to the ground on his follow through. John was awarded a yellow card and the Wizards were given a direct kick.

In the 33rd minute, Kansas City evened the score when Josh Wolff scored his third goal of the season. Burciaga played a long angled ball into the penalty area from the midfield to Wizards midfielder Chris Klein who knocked the ball down for Wolff. Revs keeper Matt Reis fell to his right as Wolff scuffed the ball, but the mishit ball rolled into the net just to the left of the post to even the score at 1-1.

Just four minutes later, the Wizards went up 2-1 with an unassisted Davy Arnaud goal. In the Revs defensive end, Wolff crossed a ball from the far right side of midfield to the left flank. Revs defender Jay Heaps got a foot on the ball with the intention of passing it back to Reis; Arnaud beat Reis to the pass and put the ball behind Reis to put Kansas City ahead 2-1.

Once in the lead, Kansas City defended in numbers and kept possession for long stretches, while the Revs found it difficult to regain the rhythm they had had in the early portion of the match.

In the 73rd minute, the Revs had an opportunity to even the score when Revs rookie midfielder Felix Brillant served a ball in from the right flank. Midfielder José Cancela raced into the penalty area and got a head on the ball, but the ball went just wide of the goal to Meola's left.

The Revolution began to dictate the tempo of the match as the Wizards looked to get nine or ten players behind the ball and with New England pressing, they were successful in tying the score in the 86th minute when Noonan scored his second goal of the evening.

The attack started when Joseph received the ball and took a shot from four yards beyond the goalmouth. Meola dove down at Joseph's feet to make the save and the ball deflected back out to Revs rookie midfielder Richie Baker. Baker crossed the ball back to Joseph and the Grenada international backheeled the ball to rookie Clint Dempsey, who was playing forward for the first time this season. Dempsey took a shot at Meola, who was still on the ground. The ball deflected again to the feet of Noonan and the Indiana University product nailed a blast over Meola and the tangle in the goalmouth into the back of the net.

With both teams playing for a win, the Revs broke through again in the 90th minute when Noonan completed his second career hat trick, a Revolution record. Cancela served a ball forward to Joseph, who countered with a cross from the right flank in front of the goalmouth. Dempsey faked a shot attempt directly in front of the net, but Noonan got a foot on the ball and hit the back of the net for the third time in the match and to put the Revs ahead 3-2.

New England will return to Gillette Stadium this weekend to take on the Columbus Crew (3-3-2, 11 points) at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 6th. For ticket information, please call 1-877-GET-REVS.

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