MLS New England Revolution

Revolution falls 2-0 to United in D.C.

Published on June 18, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Washington, D.C. - The New England Revolution (7-1-4, 25 pts.) dropped a 2-0 decision to 2004 MLS Cup Champion D.C. United (5-4-4, 19 pts.) at RFK Stadium on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 17,611. United's goals came in the 10th and 12th minute of the match. New England's 12-game undefeated streak going back to last season and 11-game unbeaten streak this season both ended with the 2-0 loss to United.

United got on the board first when D.C. forward Santino Quaranta scored his second goal of the season in the 10th minute of the match. On a free kick from the right flank, United midfielder Christian Gomez delivered an angled ball into a crowded area. Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis jumped above the crowd to try to clear the ball, however, he missed his attempted punch and the ball fell to Quaranta six-yards from goal at the far, left post. Quaranta took one touch and then directed the ball just under the center of the crossbar. Revs defender Jay Heaps got a head on the ball in an attempt to make a goal line block, but the ball skimmed off of Heaps' head and in, and United took a 1-0 lead.

D.C. doubled their lead just over one minute later when United forward Jaime Moreno scored his sixth goal of the season. Quaranta carried the ball up the left flank and prevented the ball from going over the sideline before passing it off to Moreno, who running up the inside left channel. Moreno carried the ball on an angled run and was able to beat Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst. Moreno, with only Reis left between him and the goalmouth, put a waist-high shot inside the right post to give D.C. the 2-0 lead.

In the 26th minute, United nearly scored another goal when Moreno received a ball in the midfield and got behind New England's backline and was left with 40 yards and Reis between he and the goal. Reis came off of his line and met Moreno at the top of the area. Reis dove to his right as Moreno attempted to lift the ball over the diving keeper. Reis was able to make a save with his left foot and deflect the shot to his hands.

New England went close in the 33rd minute when forward Pat Noonan carried the ball into the right side of the area. Confronted with three United defenders, Noonan tried to get a shot off, however, the shot was deflected to forward Khano Smith. Before Smith could turn to shoot, he was called offside.

In the 36th minute, United got another opportunity when Moreno beat Heaps into the area and was again in a one-on-one with Reis. Again, Reis came off his line and Moreno shot across the goalmouth toward the right post. This time, Reis was able to make a save with his right foot and clear it out of the area.

At the intermission, United led New England 2-0 after outshooting the visitors 9-4 in the first half. As the teams returned to the pitch for the second half both teams made substitutions. The Revolution put midfielder Andy Dorman on for José Cancela; United brought in defender David Stokes for John Wilson.

Though the Revs came out with a renewed sense of purpose and workrate, United made the first chance of the half when Quaranta turned to beat Heaps and then was in one-on-one with Reis. Quaranta took a shot, but Reis made the save and kept New England's deficit at two goals.

New England went close to scoring in the 54th minute when midfielder Shalrie Joseph played a ball into the Revolution's attacking end from the center circle. Revs midfielder Marshall Leonard controlled the ball and was able to beat United defender Dema Kovalenko. Leonard then sent a cross in toward the far, right post with midfielder Clint Dempsey crashing into the area. United goalkeeper Nick Rimando, however, was able to gather the ball before Dempsey could get to it and kept New England off the board.

The Revs went close again in the 59th minute when Dorman took a shot. New England forward Pat Noonan carried the ball up the right side of the area before turning and passing a low ball to Dorman. Dorman first-timed a blast directed just under the crossbar, however, Rimando got a hand on the ball to tip it up and over the crossbar.

New England had a another chance in the 66th minute when Noonan played a ball to Smith in the area. Smith blasted a shot just inside the near, right post. Rimando, however, caught the shot for the save.

In the 73rd minute, substitute forward Connally Edozien was inches from scoring his first MLS goal off of a Revolution attacking throw-in from the right flank. Off of the throw by Heaps, midfielder Steve Ralston delivered a cross into the crowded area and Edozien rose above Stokes to head powerfully off of the crossbar. Rimando then gathered the deflection and the Revs remained scoreless.

New England went close yet again in the 81st minute when Noonan got off his third shot of the match. With United's defense trying to clear the ball, a deflection fell to the feet of Dempsey. The Revs midfielder then turned and dropped a pass to Noonan in the area. Noonan turned and blasted a shot to the far, upper corner. Rimando, however, was able to again get a hand on the ball and punch it powerfully clear of the box.

In the 86th minute, Reis collided with Eskandarian in the area as both were charging for a cross. After being attended to by United's training staff, Eskandarian was taken off the field and to the locker room where he was diagnosed with a concussion. Because United had already used their three substitutes, D.C. was forced to play the last minutes of the game down a man. New England, however, was unable to capitalize on the man-advantage and the game ended 2-0.

The New England Revolution next match will be a midweek game at Columbus at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22 at Crew Stadium. The Revs then return home next weekend for Island Night at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, June 25, as part of the Revolution's match with their MLS Eastern Conference rivals the MetroStars. The Jorge Fidalgo Soccer Challenge featuring the Caribbean All-Stars vs. the Cape Verdean All-Stars will precede the Revolution game.

The soccer action kicks off at 4:00 p.m. with the Jorge Fidalgo Soccer Challenge featuring top players from the Cape Verdean and Caribbean communities. The doubleheader continues with the Revolution game at 7:30 p.m. Fans at Island Night will also be treated to a cultural celebration featuring live music and other Caribbean and Cape Verdean entertainment. For ticket information, call 1-877-GET-REVS.

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 18, 2005


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