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MLS New England Revolution

Revolution draw 0-0 with LD Alajulense in CONCACAF Champions Cup

February 22, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Revolution draw 0-0 with LD Alajuelense in CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinal Round moves to Costa Rica on March 8 for second leg

Hamilton, Bermuda - The New England Revolution played to a 0-0 draw with Costa Rican team LD Alajuelense on Wednesday night at the National Sports Centre stadium in Bermuda.

Despite several good scoring chances by the Revs, the Central American (UNCAF Cup) champions played a tactically savvy game and held on for the tie. LD Alajuelense, which has won a record 24 Costa Rican league championships, won the CONCACAF Champions' Cup in 1986 and 2004. The two-legged, aggregate goals series between Alajuelense and the Revolution moves to Costa Rica for the second leg on Wednesday, March 8.

The Revolution, playing a 4-4-2 formation, instead of the 3-5-2 system they used for most of 2005, were without starters Michael Parkhurst, Steve Ralston and Marshall Leonard due to injuries. Despite creating some good attacking play, the Revs never found a passing rhythm in the first half on the fast Bermuda playing surface. New England came out in the second half looking to take control and went close to scoring several times but could not find the back of the net.

Alajuelense had the first good chance of the game in the 14th minute when veteran Costa Rica national team forward Rolando Fonseca worked a quick combination down the right flank with strike partner Bryan Ruiz. Fonseca got in behind the Revs defense and drove a shot across the face of goal but wide of the far post.

In the 18th minute, Revolution central defender Daniel Hernandez was booked when he got tangled up with Fonseca. Off of a long pass out of the back of the LDA defense, Hernandez pulled Fonseca's jersey as the Alajuelense player looked to pull away from the Revs' defense and Canadian referee Hiu Lu showed Hernandez the yellow card.

The Revs had perhaps the best chance of the game in the 24th minute on a move triggered by Pat Noonan. Playing on the right side of midfield, Noonan dribbled down the right side of the box in behind right fullback Carlos Castro and played a low cross into the goalmouth. Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey made a stab at the ball in front of the goal but was unable to connect. With LDA goalkeeper Wardy Alfaro out of position, Revs left midfielder Tony Lochhead had an open net to shoot at but put his first time shot into the outside of the side netting and the game remained scoreless.

In the second half, the Revs came out flying and created their first chance of the period in the 46th minute. Dempsey pulled wide left and backheeled for Lochhead, who crossed for forward Taylor Twellman at the top of the box. Twellman's first-time volley had a great deal of speed on the shot, but sailed over the crossbar and out of play.

In the 50th minute, Revolution midfielder Andy Dorman played in a free kick from 45 yards out from goal that defender Jay Heaps knocked down with a header for Noonan. The U.S. International ripped a left-footed volley shot but missed high of the target.

Seven minutes later, the Revs and Twellman made another great chance when defender James Riley played Noonan down the right wing into space behind the defense. Noonan crossed for Twellman right on the doorstep, six-yards from goal in the center forward channel, but Twellman's powerful header went directly on LDA goalkeeper Wardy Alfaro.

The Revs were in full flow in the 63rd minute when Dempsey, in the left-center channel of the Revs attacking third of the field, played a backheel pass for Noonan who in turn produced a neat heel flick for Twellman who then raced onto the ball and fired a shot that grazed the outside of the far, right post.

In the 79th minute, the Revs were dealt a terrible injury blow when Noonan limped off with an apparent hamstring injury. Noonan, was due to depart for Germany with the U.S. National Team this weekend to play Poland in Kaiserslautern, will be evaluated by team medical staff of Thursday before an injury report is released.

LD Alajuelense looked to play for the draw the rest of the way, taking forwards Fonseca and Ruiz off the field and doing and excellent job of denying the Revolution any attacking chances in the closing minutes of the game.

The CONCACAF Champions' Cup is the longest running international club competition in the North America, Central America and the Caribbean region and has crowned the champion club of CONCACAF Confederation since its inception in 1962. The winner of the Champions Cup advances to play in the FIFA Club World Championship in Japan.

Revolution 2006 season tickets are on sale now - now with Free Parking. Call 1-877-GET-REVS for information.

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