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MLS New England Revolution

Steve Ralston and Wells Thompson score 2nd-half goals to lift red-hot Revs to third straight victory

August 29, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Wells Thompson's second career goal - a curling blast into the upper corner from outside the box - proved to be the game-winner, as the New England Revolution defeated the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.

Steve Ralston also had one goal and one assist for the Revolution (9-6-6, 33 pts.), which has now won three straight games for the first time since May of 2008. With the win, the Revs now hold sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference with nine games remaining in the regular season. San Jose (5-12-5, 20 pts.), meanwhile, remains at the bottom of the Western Conference.

Only a stoppage-time goal from Earthquakes midfielder Ramon Sanchez prevented Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis from earning a shutout in his 200th career start.

Chances were limited for both teams in the first half, with San Jose's Arturo Alvarez creating the two best chances in the opening 45 minutes. In the 12th minute, Alvarez slalomed through the Revs' backline before unleashing a shot from the top of the box. The effort was blocked by Jay Heaps, and when the loose ball fell to the ground in the middle of the box, Reis charged off his line to stuff Chris Wondolowski's follow-up attempt. In the 35th minute, Alvarez threatened again, cutting in from the right wing and forcing Reis into a save with a low drive.

The Revolution began the second half with more attacking urgency and made two early substitutions in an attempt to create more opportunities on the offensive end. Sainey Nyassi replaced Mauricio Castro and took over on the left wing in the 57th minute, while five minutes later, Pat Phelan came on for Kheli Dube and slid into the center of midfield, with Shalrie Joseph taking over at forward.

The moves paid immediate dividends in the 68th minute, when Joseph was the provider for Ralston's team-leading seventh goal of the season. A long clearance out of the back from Reis found the head of Joseph, who flicked a pass into the path of Ralston as he was streaking in behind the Quakes backline. With Cannon coming off his line to close down the shot, Ralston lofted his effort over the San Jose keeper and into the vacant net.

Thompson doubled New England's lead in the 74th minute with his first goal of the season, a spectacular curling drive from outside the box. Ralston found Thompson with space on the right wing, and the third-year midfielder dipped his shoulder and cut inside before unleashing a left-footed drive into the far upper corner.

San Jose pulled back a late consolation goal when Sanchez scored his first MLS goal on a powerful header in the second minute of stoppage time, but it wasn't enough as the Revs held on for the victory.

The Revs will conclude their three-game home stand on Saturday, Sept. 5, when they'll host the Kansas City Wizards at Gillette Stadium in a match that is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 29, 2009


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