MLS New England Revolution

Revs fall on the road

Published on September 6, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The New England Revolution suffered a 4-0 loss to the Columbus Crew on Saturday night at Crew Stadium in a battle between the top two teams in Major League Soccer. Crew forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto recorded one goal and two assists to pace the MLS-leading Crew past the Revs, while Jason Garey also scored two goals for Columbus.

New England (11-7-5, 38 pts.) is now 1-3-2 in their last six MLS games since winning SuperLiga 2008 and suffered their fifth shutout loss of the year. Columbus (13-6-4, 43 pts.) extended its lead in the Eastern Conference to five points over the Revolution.

The Crew out-shot the Revolution, 27-4, in the match, and Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis made nine saves - one shy of his career high - in the match.

Columbus came out strong in the first half, pushing the attack and keeping the Revolution pushed back on defense for much of the period. Despite the heavy pressure, the game remained scoreless until the 40th minute.

After Reis made a fingertip save on Steven Lenhart's bicycle kick effort in the seventh minute, he came up big again in the 13th minute when he dove to push Barros Schelotto's free kick off the left post. On the same play, Brad Evans' rebound header caromed off the crossbar before New England could clear the ball.

After the Revs fell behind in the shot advantage, 9-0, by the 27th minute, New England's Taylor Twellman had the Revolution's first chance of the match. Mauricio Castro put a pass in to Twellman at the top of the box before the forward turned on his defender and sent and shot on Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer, who made the easy save going to his left.

Barros Schelotto pushed the Crew ahead just before halftime and capitalized on Columbus' advantage in possession when he punched in a loose ball after Robbie Rodger's cross was deflected by the Revs' defense in the 40th minute. Barros Schelotto ran on to the ball ahead of the sliding Chris Tierney, and his shot kicked just past Reis to his right as the keeper came out to cut down the angle.

Reis prevented the Crew from increasing its lead in the 42nd minute, deflecting close-range Rodger's shot around the post. On the resulting corner, Sainey Nyassi cleared Andy Iro's reaction shot off the line to prevent another sure goal.

However, the Revs couldn't hold off the Crew as first half stoppage time began. Barros Schelotto's free kick from 22 yards out near the touchline found Iro in the mixer, where the defender headed in the ball unmarked from six yards for the 2-0 lead and his first career MLS goal as referee Mark Geiger's whistle blew to end the half.

The Crew continued to dominate play as the second half opened and limited the Revs' possession in the midfield, not allowing New England space to generate much in their attacking third.

Columbus increased its lead to 3-0 in the 67th minute, when Jason Garey - who had entered for Lenhard just one minute prior - chested down Barros Schelotto's lofted cross over the defense and beat Reis with a low shot just outside his reach.

Iro nearly made it 4-0 in the 73rd minute when he got on the end of a Jason Carroll cross, but his flashing header was inches high of goal. Garey, however, did extend the lead to four goals when he ran on to Pat Noonan's threaded pass through the Revs' defense and went in one-on-on with Reis, finishing low after Reis committed off his line. Noonan's assist was his first with the Crew after an early August trade sent the former Revolution forward to Columbus following his return from playing overseas in Norway.

The Revolution returns to action on Thursday, Sept. 11, when the team hosts Chivas USA at 7 p.m. at Gillette Stadium. In a tribute to the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the Revs will host "Salute to Heroes Night," for military members and first responders. For more information, or to inquire about bringing a group to the stadium for "Salute to Heroes Night," call 1-877-GET-REVS.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 6, 2008


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