MLS New England Revolution

Revs use three first-half goals to earn win in first-ever visit to CommunityAmerica Ballpark

Published on April 9, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Gambian teenagers Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally each scored first-half goals to lead the New England Revolution past the Kansas City Wizards, 3-1, on Wednesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

The loss was the first of the season for the Wizards (2-1-0, 6 pts.), who had won each of their first two matches at their temporary home.

New England was missing five regular starters for the match - Taylor Twellman, Steve Ralston, Chris Albright and Wells Thompson all didn't make the trip to Kansas City due to injuries, while Jeff Larentowicz was unavailable for selection while serving a one-game red-card suspension. As a result, Amaechi Igwe was handed his MLS debut with a start at left back, while second-year defensive midfielder Gary Flood made just his third career start.

The Revolution (2-1-0, 6 pts.) took a 1-0 lead courtesy of an own goal by Wizards midfielder Jack Jewsbury in the 12th minute. Shalrie Joseph's hard work earned a free kick for the Revs just outside Kansas City's 18-yard box, and Mauricio Castro swung a dangerous cross towards the center of the area. Jewsbury attempted to clear with his back to goal from six yards out, but he redirected the ball into the lower left corner of his own net.

Jewsbury redeemed himself in the 28th minute, as he converted a penalty kick to even the score at 1-1. The Wizards earned the spot-kick when Kurt Morsink was taken down in the box by Nyassi.

New England regained the lead in the 33rd minute through Nyassi, as the 19-year-old Gambian turned home a great Khano Smith cross to record his second goal of the season. Smith and Nyassi's fellow teenage Gambian, Mansally, played a 1-2 combination to send Smith in alone down the left flank. After dribbling all the way to the six-yard box and drawing Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman out, Smith slid a pass across the face of goal to Nyassi, who finished into the empty net.

The Revs' lead was extended to 3-1 in the 40th minute, as Mansally claimed his first career goal after a scramble in the box. Another long free kick from Castro was sent into the area, and after the ball popped free from a crowd of players, Mansally was on hand to finish from eight yards out.

Trailing by a pair of goals, the hosts began to push forward in the second half and created a number of early scoring chances, but were unable to beat Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.

A 66th-minute substitution saw left back Chase Hilgenbrinck enter the match for Castro, altering New England's formation from a 3-5-2 to a more defensive 4-4-2 alignment. The move helped the Revolution close the Kansas City attack down and maintain the 3-1 win.

Reis made eight saves to preserve the lead, including several spectacular stops on point-blank shots.

The Revs will return home for their next match on Saturday, April 12, when they will host the Colorado Rapids at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 9, 2008


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