MLS New England Revolution

Revs lock up playoff spot with 1-0 victory over MetroStars

Published on September 26, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Foxborough, Mass. - The New England Revolution (16-6-7, 55 pts.) clinched their fourth consecutive berth in the MLS Cup playoffs tonight with a 1-0 victory over the MetroStars (10-8-10, 40 pts.) at Gillette Stadium. Revolution midfielder James Riley, a rookie out of Wake Forest University, proved to be the deciding factor. With the two clubs still scoreless deep into the second half, Riley denied the Metros a sure goal by clearing MetroStars forward Youri Djorkaeff's deflected shot off the goal line. Two minutes later, Riley tallied the game-winner, sliding home a headed cross by Revolution forward Taylor Twellman.

With the shutout, Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis recorded his ninth clean sheet of the season and his 12th in goal for New England. Also the team recorded the 16th win of the season to set a new club record; the Revs recorded 15 wins in 1996 and 1997. The 1996 season, however, included six shootout wins and the 1997 season included four shootout wins.

The Revolution, who lost 5-4 to the MetroStars a week ago at Giants Stadium, came out in the first half determined to dictate the tempo of the match with pressing tactics and attacking play. Though their efforts did not produce a goal in the opening half, the Revs were clearly the dominant team. The MetroStars came out in the second half in a more defensive posture, which had the effect of evening out the chances for the two teams, but in the end the Revolution turned up their effort level and produced yet another important game-winning goal late in the game.

The Revolution took the first shot of the match in the second minute when midfielder Clint Dempsey controlled a deflection off of referee Brian Hall and dribbled up the center channel. Dempsey fired a shot, however, it went wide left of the goal. The second chance came two minutes later when forward Pat Noonan took a through ball from MLS MVP candidate Shalrie Joseph and took one touch to try and control, but the ball went wide left and over the endline.

In the 23rd minute, Noonan lofted a cross into Dempsey, who despite being wide-open in front of the goalmouth, could not connect on the other end and the Metros defense cleared the ball out.

The Revolution stayed on the attack, putting pressure on the MetroStars defense and goalkeeper Tony Meola. After receiving a pass from Revolution midfielder Daniel Hernandez, Twellman cut through two Metros defenders but failed to beat Meola with a grounded ball to the right side in the 32nd minute.

New England's best opportunity of the half came in the 35th minute when Hernandez hammered a shot from beyond 30 yards from goal flush off of the crossbar.

Despite outshooting the MetroStars 12-4 through the first 45 minutes, the two sides went into halftime scoreless.

The MetroStars seized the initiative early in the second half led by MetroStars forward Amado Guevara who sailed a shot over the bar from 23 yards out in the 55th minute. Three minutes later, midfielder Eddie Gaven headed down a cross to Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis, who managed to get one hand on it before Revolution defender and Rookie of the Year candidate Michael Parkhurst cleared the ball out of danger.

One minute later, Revs defender Marshall Leonard served a ball from deep on the left side of the field position towards Noonan who was making a surging run on the right wing. Meola, however, was well positioned to save his headed shot on goal.

As the half progressed, the Revs continued to pressure the visiting side and midfielder Steve Ralston made a determined run down the left-center channel, splitting two MetroStars defenders on the dribble in the 82nd minute. Once inside the penalty area, Ralston crossed for Noonan, but Meola cut out the service and caught the ball to thwart the Revs attack. The Metros best opportunity of the night came in the 84th minute when a shot inside the box by Djorkaeff took a deflection off Parkhurst. The ball spun wildly through Reis' hands and onto the goal line but Riley was there to clear it off the line.

Two minutes after his saving defensive play, Riley proved a difference-maker at the attacking end of the field. Noonan carried the ball down the right flank and crossed into to Twellman, who leapt up and headed the ball towards the far post as Riley slid in to slot the ball home, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. It was the first MLS career goal for the rookie out of Wake Forest.

The MetroStars threw numbers forward to try to even the score, but their best opportunity to equalize went begging when substitute Mark Lisi sailed a long distance shot over the center of the crossbar in stoppage time.

The Revs will be home again next weekend when they host the San Jose Earthquakes, the first place team in the Western Conference, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 1 at Gillette Stadium. For ticket information, call 1-877-GET-REVS

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