MLS New England Revolution

Revolution whip Chivas USA, 4-0

Published on September 11, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Steve Ralston notched one goal and two assists, Taylor Twellman added one goal and one assist and goalkeeper Matt Reis earned his first league shutout since June 12, as the New England Revolution defeated Chivas USA, 4-0, on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.

With the win, the Revs (12-7-5, 41 pts.) moved back into sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference entering this weekend's play, pushing ahead of the rival Chicago Fire. Chivas USA (8-10-6, 30 pts.) had its two-game winning streak snapped.

Ralston returned to the Revolution's starting lineup after missing the last two league matches with back spasms, enabling New England to return to its preferred 3-5-2 formation for the first time since Aug. 20. Ralston started as a second forward alongside Twellman, with Shalrie Joseph filling in as an attacking midfielder.

Twellman was active in the opening stages and almost gave the hosts an early lead on two occasions. After intercepting a wayward pass in the third minute and creating an open shot inside the box, he slipped his effort wide of the right post, while his 15th-minute header from Ralston's free kick was saved by Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy.

Chances were limited in the first half following Twellman's early opportunities, with shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes finishing 2-1 in favor of the Revolution. Ante Razov came closest for Chivas USA, but his knuckling, long-range shot was pushed wide Reis.

The visitors were more dangerous at the start of the second half, with Reis forced into an early save on Jim Curtin's header and Revs defender Michael Parkhurst clearing a loose ball off the line in the 48th minute.

However, it was New England that opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, as Twellman scored his sixth goal of the season after combining with Ralston on a give-and-go. Twellman pushed towards the box with possession before laying a pass off to Ralston on the right side of the area, while Ralston's first touch was a pass across the face of goal. Twellman burst through Goats' defenders Carey Talley and Paolo Nagamura and poked a shot inside the near post before Kennedy could react.

Neither team seriously threatened again until the 83rd minute, when Jeff Larentowicz doubled New England's lead with his third goal of the season on a long-range drive. Wells Thompson directed a header to Ralston, who laid a short pass off to Larentowicz outside the area on the right side of the field. Larentowicz struck a first-time shot that beat Kennedy to the near post.

Smith added a third in the opening seconds of stoppage time, stealing the ball off Goats defender Bobby Burling and firing a low shot inside the far post from the left side of the box.

Ralston rounded out the scoring two minutes later with his team-leading seventh goal of the season, settling a cross-field pass from Twellman on the left wing before cutting inside and firing a right-footed drive off the far post and into the net.

The Revs - who have six games remaining in the regular season - have eight days off before returning to action on Saturday, Sept. 20, when they travel to Colorado to battle the Rapids at 9 p.m. ET at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 11, 2008


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