The New England Revolution’s attack managed to score three times against Sporting Kansas City. Photo/Kari Heistad
The New England Revolution are still clinging to their playoff hopes, which could evaporate fast with just one misstep.
But with two games remaining in the regular season, the Revolution – who defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-1 on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium – appear to have a realistic shot at reaching the post-season.
At this point, it’s a simple numbers game. The Revolution sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, just two points behind the Montreal Impact for the sixth and final playoff berth.
Montreal plays Orlando, who are four points behind New England in ninth place, on Sunday. A loss or a tie for the Impact could be catastrophic for their playoff hopes, as it would give New England – who host the Impact in their season finale at home on October 23 – an in to sneak into playoff contention.
Another scenario involves DC United and Philadelphia, who sit fourth and fifth in the conference, respectively, losing the remainder of their games. Regardless, the Revolution would still have to win their final two games of the season.
Lee Nguyen helped create the Revolution’s go-ahead goal in the second half. Photo/Kari Heistad
Saturday night’s rain-soaked performance showed that the Revs are capable of at least making things interesting.
The Revolution recovered beautifully against Kansas City, just six days after getting humbled by the Columbus Crew in a 2-0 loss at MAPFRE Stadium.
Sporting KC managed to make things interesting, too.
After Kei Kamara gave New England the lead in the fourth minute after converting a feed from Juan Agudelo, the visitors equalized less than five minutes into the second half off a goal by Dom Dwyer.
New England, who out-shot Kansas City 15-8 and 5-1 in shots on target, pressed onward looking for the go-ahead goal that would keep their playoff hopes alive.
The decisive strike came in the 75th minute. Kamara found Lee Nguyen in the box, Nguyen taking down the ball and volleying with his right foot.
Nguyen’s shot hit the post, but ricocheted off of Kansas City defender Kevin Ellis and rolled into the net to make it 2-1
The Revolution have just two games left in the regular season and are just barely out of playoff contention. Photo/Kari Heistad
.
Juan Agudelo made it 3-1 when he thumped a feed from Kamara into the roof of the net in the 83rd minute.
New England are off next weekend and will not play again until facing the last place Chicago Fire on the road on October 16.
The standings could change dramatically in the next eight days.
Sunday’s clash between Orlando and Montreal holds large implications for the Revolution. A Montreal loss or draw works in the Revolution’s favor.
The Columbus Crew also play the Chicago Fire on the road next Thursday. Columbus are four points behind New England, in eighth place, but have one game in hand.
Follow Julian on Twitter @juliancardillo
