MLS New England Revolution

Revs fall to United

Published on August 12, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Luciano Emilio scored two goals - one early and one late - to help lift D.C. United over the New England Revolution, 3-1, in a 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Tuesday night at RFK Stadium.

With the loss, the Revolution's quest to win the competition for a second consecutive year was ended. New England claimed the 2007 U.S. Open Cup title last October to earn the club's first-ever cup championship. United will host the 2008 final at RFK Stadium on Sept. 3, when the club will welcome USL-1 side Charleston Battery to the Nation's Capital.

Emilio's pair of strikes was sandwiched around goals from New England's Joe Germanese and D.C.'s Santino Quaranta, while the Revs struggled to cope with the 71st-minute ejection of Wells Thompson.

The hosts jumped out to an early fourth-minute lead courtesy of Emilio, who leads United with 11 goals in MLS regular-season action. After freeing himself down the right wing, defender Bryan Namoff delivered a curling cross to the penalty spot, where Emilio rose unmarked and guided a header inside the right post.

After the eventful opening, both teams settled down, with much of the action staying in the midfield and scoring chances limited.

That all changed in the 34th minute, however, when Germanese evened the score at 1-1 with his second goal of the competition. From the right corner, Adam Cristman sent a low cross towards the near post, where Germanese struck a first-time effort. Although his initial attempt was blocked by D.C. defender Gonzalo Peralta, the rebound rolled back to Germanese, and the rookie slid his second shot under charging United goalkeeper Zach Wells.

Each side had a quality chance to take the lead before halftime, but neither managed to convert. Quaranta saw his back-post, full volley effort hit the side netting in the 39th minute, while Khano Smith's effort from inside the penalty area skimmed wide of the left post just seconds before the first 45 minutes came to a close.

United almost regained the lead just 20 seconds into the second half, but New England goalkeeper Doug Warren charged off his line to save Emilio's shot after the Brazilian had separated from the Revs' backline.

Warren could do nothing about Quaranta's goal in the 48th minute, however, as D.C. did jump back in front, 2-1. Jaime Moreno played a ball over the top of the Revolution's backline for Quaranta to run on to, and the midfielder lofted a shot over Warren, who had come off of his line.

New England's hopes of scoring a second equalizer were dealt a blow in the 71st minute, when Thompson was ejected after being issued a second yellow card for a foul on Moreno.

Despite being down a man, the Revolution had a quality chance to even the score in the 78th minute, when Moreno fouled Cristman 20 yards from goal. Joseph took the free kick, but his shot failed to beat United's wall.

D.C. put the game out of reach in the 81st minute, when Emilio scored his second. Moreno's through ball sent Ivan Guerrero in down the left wing, and the midfielder cut into the box before sliding a pass to Emilio at the near post. Emilio used his first touch to round Warren before slotting a shot into the back of the net past a pair of backtracking Revolution defenders.

Each goalkeeper finished with one save.

The Revs will return to MLS regular-season action on Saturday, Aug. 16, when they travel across the country to face the expansion San Jose Earthquakes at 10 p.m. ET at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics

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



Major League Soccer Stories from August 12, 2008


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