MLS New England Revolution

Revolution Drops Stunner to United, 1-0

Published on August 9, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


WASHINGTON, D.C. - The New England Revolution surrendered a second-half stoppage-time goal by Dema Kovalenko that broke a scoreless tie, sending the Revs home with a 1-0 loss to D.C. United tonight at RFK Stadium.

Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston each had shots on goal for the Revolution over the final six minutes of play, but it was United's Kovalenko who notched the game-winner shortly after the fourth official announced that two minutes would be added for second-half stoppage time. Kovalenko got the best of a battle for a loose ball inside the Revs' six-yard box after a Hristo Stoitchkov shot and Kovalenko was able to strike a shot past Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.

In the 84th minute the Revolution (5-7-7) had their best chance of the game. Twellman made a run with the ball down the right side off the field before ripping a low shot that hit the right post of Nick Rimando's goal. The ball caromed all the way across the goalmouth and then got a piece of the left post before going back into play and being cleared by United.

Ralston had a scoring chance in the 89th minute, when he took a 15-yard shot from the right side of the 18-yard box, but the ball was tipped over the cross bar by Rimando.

Both teams went down a man in the 53rd minute, as United's Bobby Convey and the Revs' Jay Heaps were each issued red cards for violent conduct.

D.C. (6-6-6) had its first significant scoring opportunity in the 14th minute. Convey sent a cross from the left side into the box for Ben Olsen, who sent a header bound for the goal, but Reis stretched spectacularly to tip the shot over the cross bar.

In the 21st minute, Wolde Harris completed a give-and-go with José Cancela, resulting in a Harris shot from the right side just out of the six-yard box that went wide at the far post.

Then, in the 35th minute, Harris went close again, when he uncorked a left-footed drive from 20 yards that forced Rimando to make a diving save.

Twellman had another chance in 77th minute when he turned with the ball at the top of the penalty area and rifled a left-footed blast just over the crossbar from 18 yards out.

The Revolution hosts the San Jose Earthquakes next Saturday, August 16, at 4:00 PM at Gillette Stadium. The match will air live on espn2 and WRKO-AM 680. Tickets for that match and all remaining Revolution matches at Gillette Stadium are available by calling 1-877-GET-REVS.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 9, 2003


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