MLS New England Revolution

Revs fall 1-0 to D.C. United at RFK Stadium

Published on October 9, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Washington, D.C. - The New England Revolution (7-13-9) lost 1-0 to D.C. United (10-10-9) in front of 19,461 at RFK Stadium on Saturday night. United's goal was scored by midfielder Christian Gomez in the 32nd minute. New England played up a man for the last 16 minutes of the match, after United defender Dema Kovalenko was ejected from the game for receiving a second yellow card.

The Revs had a chance early when they were awarded a direct kick after Revs midfielder José Cancela was taken down by United captain Ryan Nelsen five yards beyond the penalty area. Cancela took the free kick in the third minute, bending his shot toward the left post. United goalkeeper Nick Rimando, however, made a diving save and kept the Revs off the board.

D.C. had an equal opportunity just two minutes later when they were awarded a direct free kick five yards outside of the area. Revs defender Brian Kamler brought United midfielder Joshua Gros down to give United the opportunity. The free kick, taken by midfielder Christian Gomez, never made it through to the Revs goalmouth after it hit Revs midfielder Shalrie Joseph's back in traffic. Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis pounced on the loose ball to defuse any possible follow-up attempt.

New England went close again in just the 7th minute of the match. Revs midfielder Steve Ralston served a cross into the area from the right flank. Forward Taylor Twellman attempted a bicycle kick that was punched out by Rimando. The rebound fell to the feet of Revs midfielder Clint Dempsey and the Texas native took a first-time blast toward the right side of the goal. Rimando, however, was able to get in front of the shot again and keep the game scoreless.

In the 13th minute, United defender Bryan Namoff dribbled the ball up the center channel, weaving through the Revs defense. As he neared Reis, Namoff took a blast toward the right post, but the shot went inches wide.

The Revs had an opportunity in the 25th minute when forward Pat Noonan passed the ball from the center channel out to Ralston on the right flank. Ralston dribbled up the sideline before lofting a cross to Twellman. In front of the right post, Twellman attempted to head the ball in for a goal but was brought down in the air by the double-team of United defenders Ryan Nelsen and Namoff.

It would be United who would get on the board first when Gomez scored in the 32nd minute. Off of a United attacking throw in, D.C. midfielder Ben Olsen lobbed a first time cross into the box on the turn. Olsen's pass floated over two Revolution defenders and was allowed to bounce in the danger area in front of goal. Gomez took a first-time side volley on the turn toward the right post that beat a diving Reis and gave United the lead 1-0. The score remained that way for the rest of the half.

Both teams came out of the locker room pressing to score after the intermission. In the 52nd minute, United midfielder Brian Carroll tripped Dempsey as he was entering the area and the Revs were awarded a direct free kick less than a yard outside the area on the left side of the box. Ralston took the attempt but was unsuccessful as his shot went wide left.

The physical play between the two teams picked up in the second half as well. In the 54th minute, United midfielder Joshua Gros was awarded a yellow card after he pushed New England midfielder Brian Kamler to the ground, making contact with this face. Three minutes later, Kamler received a yellow card when he took Gros down 10 yards away from the original foul.

In the 61st minute, Kovalenko made a sloppy tackle on Cancela as he carried the ball up the right flank causing Cancela to trip and fall to the ground. Referee Marcel Yonan immediately awarded Kovalenko a yellow card. In the 74th minute, Kovalenko committed a similar foul in the same part of the field on Dempsey and was again awarded a yellow card. With his second booking, Kovalenko was ejected from the match and United played with only 10 men for the last 16 minutes of the match.

The Revolution will return home to host their final regular-season match at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 16 against the Chicago Fire. If the Revs defeat Chicago, New England will be tied with the Fire in the standings. The Revs, however, would advance to the playoffs on the overall goal differential tiebreaker. The game will be broadcast live on CN8 and with audio commentary streaming live on revolutionsoccer.net.

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from October 9, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central