Revs Win on Ralston's PK in OT
Published on October 11, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
FOXBORO, MA - Midfielder Steve Ralston converted an overtime penalty kick as the New England Revolution (10-9-9, 39pts) clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a 1-0 victory over D.C. United (10-10-8, 38pts) at Gillette Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The third goal of the season by Ralston, who donned the captain's armband, allowed New England to overtake United for third place in the Eastern Conference with two games remaining in the season. D.C. United, which has not won an overtime game this season, remains one point away from clinching its first playoff spot since the 1999 season.
New England (39pts) is now just two points behind the second-place MetroStars (41pts), who play later Saturday night against the Dallas Burn. The Revolution and MetroStars close out the season with a home-and-home series beginning next Saturday at Giants Stadium.
On only one other occasion had a match ended on a penalty kick in sudden death overtime. Los Angeles Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz netted that goal on March 23, 2002 also against D.C. United.
The penalty kick was awarded to the Revolution just 30 seconds into the overtime period as New England forward Chris Bagley was judged to have been brought down in the box by D.C. defender Brandon Prideaux. Bagley, a native of Weymouth, Massachusetts, entered the match in the second half in place of rookie Pat Noonan, and in the process made his MLS debut after signing with the club on Friday.
The Revolution registered the best scoring opportunities of the first half, only to be denied by rookie goalkeeper Doug Warren, who was decisive coming off his line throughout the match. Warren, who has replaced injured Nick Rimando (left ACL tear) as United's starting 'keeper, made his second start of the season after missing last weekend's game in Columbus due to personal reasons. The Clemson University product tied a career high with six saves, stopping shots by Ralston (11th min), midfielder Shalrie Joseph (19th min), right back Jay Heaps (28th min) and forward Dario Fabbro (47th min).
Despite New England's efforts at goal, United had the best opportunity to open the scoring in the 37th minute as a scramble near the Revolution goal line was cleared away by Joseph in front of a muddle of players. Just two minutes later Warren was saved by the base of the right post as Revolution midfielder Brian Kamler nodded an accurate ball from the center of the box against the woodwork.
Except for a flurry of Warren saves in the first 15 minutes after the break, including another two against Ralston, the second half offered little in the way of scoring opportunities as neither team was incisive in attack. The Revolution attack was depleted with the absence of veteran forward Joe-Max Moore (left knee sprain) and the season-ending losses of striker and leading scorer Taylor Twellman (left foot stress fracture) and late season acquisition Chris Brown (broken left foot). The team also watched playmaker Jose Cancela limp off the field before the end of regulation.
Although United welcomed the return of defender Mike Petke and midfielder Dema Kovalenko from caution point suspension, the visitors played without defender and captain Ryan Nelsen, who joined the New Zealand National Team for a friendly against Iran. New England's regular left back and captain, Joey Franchino, sat out the match with a calf strain as Marshall Leonard took his place at left back.
D.C. United plays its final two matches of the regular season at RFK Stadium beginning with a contest against the Columbus Crew on Sunday, October 19 (4:00 p.m. ET - ESPN2). The New England Revolution play a home-and-home series against the MetroStars in their final two matches beginning with a match next Saturday, Oct. 18 at Giants Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET).
MLS Man of the Match: Doug Warren (D.C. United)
Major League Soccer Stories from October 11, 2003
- Wizards Win Thriller Over Galaxy 2-1 in Overtime - Sporting Kansas City
- Wizards Outlast Galaxy in OT, 2-1 - MLS
- Burn, MetroStars Tie - MLS
- MLS Weekend Recap - MLS
- Revolution Clinches Playoff Berth with 1-0 Win over D.C. United in Overtime - New England Revolution
- Revs Win on Ralston's PK in OT - MLS
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