Juan Agudelo’s first goal of the season lifted the Revolution over Colorado. Photo/Kari Heistad
By Julian Cardillo
When Juan Agudelo re-signed with the New England Revolution in January after spending roughly one year trying to make a European soccer career pan out, he promised to be an even better player than he was when he left. Agudelo didn’t live up to his word through the first month of the season, as he didn’t look fit and wasn’t able to put clear cut chances into the back of the net, though the tide may now be turning.
On Saturday night, Agudelo opened his scoring account in style in the Revolution’s 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., delicately chipping a feed from Kelyn Rowe off the crossbar and into the back of the net. The 19th minute strike emanated class and confidence, from the way Agudelo controlled the long pass to how he nestled it inside the goal with the outside of his foot to help power the Revolution to their first road win of 2015.
Lee Nguyen converted from the penalty spot in the second half to help the Revolution extend their unbeaten run to three games and collect their first-ever victory at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Colorado, who are on an 18-game winless run (dating back to last season), have still not scored a goal in 2015 (600 minutes without a goal, which is the third longest goalless streak in league history). To boot, Agudelo’s goal ended the Rapids’ season-long shutout streak.
But Agudelo needed to come up with a spark to turn the corner. Revolution head coach Jay Heaps, employing a hybrid 4-2-3-1 formation, placed Agudelo on the left flank for the second straight game. And Agudelo, though in a position that required strong endurance—and playing in Denver’s mile-high altitude—looked perfectly fit.
The opening goal was pure positioning and skill, though. Rowe won the ball on the right side of the field against Sam Cronin, then immediately sent a searching cross toward the penalty area for Agudelo. Agudelo took the long pass down with his outstretched leg, shifted past his marker, and then looped the ball over goalkeeper Clint Irwin’s head and into the back of the net.
Colorado defender Jarred Watts clipped Charlie Davies in the penalty area in the 54th minute, setting up Nguyen’s score from the penalty spot. Nguyen shot left on the spot kick, converting for his first goal of the season as Irwin dived the other way.
Match MVP Bobby Shuttleworth and his back line were just as important, combining for the Revolution’s second shutout of the season, with Colorado coming close to scoring numerous times.
Dillon Powers went in a lone on net off a Juan Ramirez through pass, though Shuttleworth trumped the breakaway with a 42nd minute save. Then, a Gabriel Torres header via a Mark Burch pass in the 45th minute rounded out the first half.
Shuttleworth was busier in the second half. He tipped a header by Marcelo Sarvas off a corner kick over the bar (52nd) and corralling a low drive by Ramirez (75th). He also watched a slew of chances hit the post and crossbar.
In the 74th minute, Ramirez’s volley front just outside the six-yard box clanged off the woodwork, while Bobby Burling hit the same spot off a header in the 79th. But no play involving a post was more controversial than what happened in the 58th minute.
Andrew Farrell scuffed a cross by Michael Harrington into the path of Dan Badji, who fired and hit the left post. Ramirez pounced on the fat rebound in the box, but was subsequently dragged down by Darrius Barnes. Referee Fotis Bazakos pointed to the penalty spot, signaling for a penalty kick, though he was overruled by his assistant’s offside flag being raised. The referee called Ramirez offside, though the replay showed he was not ahead of the last defender.
Colorado coach Pablo Mastroeni was ejected from the game, as he was forcefully protesting Bazakos’ decision.
The Revolution will return home next Saturday, April 11, and play host to the Columbus Crew.
If you want to reach Julian, email him julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
