MLS New England Revolution

Revolution gets past Crew

October 20, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - On the same night he was christened the Revs' 2013 most valuable player - the team's youngest-ever MVP - teenager Diego Fagundez scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute to lift the New England Revolution to a 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.

The win lifted the Revs into a playoff position - fifth place in the Eastern Conference - with one East game to be played on Sunday that could affect the team's placement, setting up the wildest final week in MLS history next weekend.

New England (13-11-9, 48 pts.) enters the final week of the MLS schedule riding a five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2), while Columbus (12-16-5, 41 pts.) was eliminated from playoff contention after needing a win tonight to stay alive.

The Revolution sits in fifth place in the East by virtue of tiebreakers over Houston (48 pts.), while the Dynamo hosts New York on Sunday afternoon. If the Red Bulls defeat Houston, the Revs will have their playoff fate in their own hands next weekend when the team ends the season at Columbus next Sunday afternoon.

In front of 26,458 fans - the largest Revs crowd since Aug. 8, 2009 - the Revs put on a spectacular goal-scoring show. After taking a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute and a 2-1 lead in the 69th minute, the Revs saw Columbus twice come back to equalize, setting up Fagundez's late-game heroics.

The Revs took a 1-0 lead into halftime behind A.J. Soares' first goal of the season. After Andy Dorman drew a free kick near the corner of the penalty area in the 32nd minute, Kelyn Rowe served in an in-swinging ball that Soares rose to meet and flick in past Crew keeper Matt Lampson.

Columbus opened the second half pressuring the Revs, but Fagundez nearly put New Enland up 2-1 in the 58th minute, connecting with Jerry Bengtson's cross in the front of goal, but his flicked-on header flashed wide of Lampson's goal.

One minute later, the Crew's efforts succeeded. Halftime substitute Aaron Schoenfeld fed Columbus' leading scorer, Dominic Oduro, on the right edge of the box, and he blasted a shot over Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis, tucking the ball just under the crossbar to equalize at 1-1.

The Revs got the opportunity to push ahead in the 68th minute when Crew defender Tony Tchani undercut Dorman as he chased after a deflected ball in the penalty area. Referee Mark Geiger pointed to the penalty spot, where Chris Tierney stepped up and converted to push the Revs ahead, 2-1, in the 69th minute.

That lead was short-lived, as Schoenfeld and Oduro combined again in the 71st minute, knotting the game at 2-2. After the Revs struggled to clear the ball, Oduro fed Schoenfeld near the edge of the box and his shot beat Reis through the upper left corner of the goal.

Fagundez then made his effort count in the 76th minute, connecting with Dorman. After Dimitry Imbongo played Dorman wide to the left, the Welshman sent in a cross that flashed behind Juan Agudelo on the near post. Fagundez, however, was streaming in unmarked on the far post and redirected the cross in past Lampson for the 3-2 lead that would hold.

In a pregame ceremony, Fagundez was awarded the team's 2013 MVP award, which was determined by fan voting. Captain Jose Goncalves was named the team's 2013 Best Defender (determined by media vote), while Reis was named the team's Humanitarian of the year for the third straight season.

The Revolution returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 27, when the team plays its 2013 regular-season finale against Columbus at Crew Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on TV by Comcast SportsNet and on the radio by 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2.

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