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MLS New England Revolution

Revolution Advance To MLS Cup Playoffs Behind 1-0 Win At Columbus

October 25, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jeff Larentowicz's first goal of 2009 came at the perfect time as it sealed the New England Revolution's berth in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs. The midfielder's 19-yard free-kick blast found the back of the goal in the 79th minute on Sunday night, giving the Revolution a 1-0 win over the MLS regular-season champion Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium in the final game of the 2009 MLS regular season.

The Revolution entered the game needing a draw or a win to secure the final of eight berths in the MLS Cup Playoffs, making the outcome crucial to not only New England (11-10-9, 42 pts.), but also the Colorado Rapids, who would have entered the playoffs with a Revolution loss. Knotted in a scoreless match deep into the game, Larentowicz's strike secured the Revs' ticket to the postseason for the eighth-straight season, MLS' longest current streak. Columbus (13-7-10, 49 pts.) enters the postseason as the top overall seed, winning the 2009 Supporters' Shield for the best regular-season record.

The Revolution became just the second team to defeat the Crew at home in 2009 after the team had a 22-match undefeated streak that dated back to 2008.

The Revolution will now face their arch rival, the Chicago Fire, in the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, beginning later this week. Exact times and dates will be announced at a later time. This will mark the fifth-straight season which the Revolution and Fire will meet in the playoffs, and seventh time in the last eight seasons.

Despite the up-tempo nature of the game, the match remained scoreless through the first half and well into the second until Larentowicz's strike.

After an early near-chance when Crew defender Andy Iro nearly deflected a cross infor an own goal, Larentowicz had a go from distance in the 28th minute after Kheli Dube laid off a loose ball outside the box. Columbus goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni had a clear view of the shot and smothered it to end the threat.

In the 38th minute, MLS most valuable player candidate Shalrie Joseph almost gave the Revs a 1-0 lead. After Schoeni came out off his line and got tangled with his defenders, the ball popped out to the central midfielder who tried to chip the Crew contingent at the top of the box. His shot, though, was about two feet too long and landed on top of the net as the Columbus defense chased back.

MLS' reigning MVP, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, had a clear, unimpeded header in the 42nd minute - from seven yards out - that had eyes for the goal, but it went straight to Matt Reis, allowing the Revolution goalkeeper to make the natural save and preserve the scoreless line.

Both teams picked up the pressure coming out after the intermission, with New England and Columbus creating chances right out of the gate. Both sides tried to push the game, resulting in a back-and-forth flow, despite any clear chances. Neither side broke through, however, and the scoreless game proceeded deep into the final 15-minute segment.

However, that all changed in the 79th minute. Crew midfielder Brian Carroll was whistled for a handball foul just outside the area as the Revs were attacking, and Larentowicz and Kenny Mansally stood over the free kick from 19 yards. Larentowicz took the shot, blasting the ball through a narrow opening in the Crew wall, and past a leaping Schoeni for the goal and a ticket to the postseason.

Edgaras Jankauskas almost made it a two-goal game in the fourth minute of stoppage time, when his sharp-angled shot from the left skimmed off the cross bar. Soon after, referee Kevin Stott blew the final whistle, sending New England through to the playoffs.

The Revolution will enter the MLS Cup Playoffs as the seventh overall seed and the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Revs will host Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series later this week, and then travel to face the Fire at Toyota Park in Game 2 next week. Exact times and dates will be announced later after the league finalizes plans. Check revolutionsoccer.net for further information, including ticket packages.

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