Lee Nguyen scored the Revolution’s only goal vs. Philadelphia. Photo/Kari Heistad
The wait for official confirmation on the New England Revolution’s playoff hopes will continue.
The Revolution could have clinched a playoff berth for the third consecutive season with a win on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium against the Philadelphia Union, but failed to deliver, settling for a 1-1 tie in front of their home fans.
On a night when the Revolution out-shot Philadelphia 20-5, opposing goalkeeper Andre Blake, a former University of Connecticut standout, proved to be the difference. His 10 saves kept his team in the game, the one shot he allowed past him being Lee Nguyen’s 36th minute penalty kick. Meanwhile, Fernando Aristeguieta made the most of few scoring chances, sucker-punching the Revolution with a 65th minute equalizer.
Photo/Kari Heistad
“He had a good game, you have to give credit to guys,” said Revolution coach Jay Heaps of Blake’s performance. “Credit Philly. They were resilient. We put numbers forward they really pinned back and they had two shots on goal and one went in.”
The Revolution will move into second place in the Eastern Conference—tied with the Columbus Crew—but all but ending their chances of winning the Supporters Shield. They can clinch the playoffs with a positive result next weekend.
That said, there’s a collective feeling that Saturday’s game versus Philadelphia should have been the Revolution’s ticket to the post-season. Despite spells of sloppy, dry soccer, the Revolution eventually found their rhythm and sent chance after chance at Blake’s goal.
The firing squad of chances began in the 27tth minute when Chris Tierney looped a shot toward goal from the right flank that Blake tipped over the bar. On the ensuing corner kick, Lee Nguyen’s cross fell to Kelyn Rowe, who missed a first-timer at the near post.
In the 35th minute, Fabinho took down Nguyen in the penalty area, prompting referee Alan Kelly to award the Revolution with a penalty kick. Nguyen buried the ensuing spot kick, beating Blake to the lower left part of the net.
That would be the only time the net would bulge behind Blake, who broke Philadelphia’s club record for saves in a game.
The Revolution continued to press in the second half, but were caught by a lapse on Philadelphia’s equalizer. Aristeguieta was allowed to turn into the box after getting the ball from Warren Creavalle, his hard shot flying by goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth to make it 1-1.
Philadelphia didn’t see much of the game thereafter, though, in truth, they were behind 9-2 in shots by the time they finally scored.
Nguyen tried to beat Blake again, from the left side of the box in the 71st minute, but the goalkeeper dropped down to block the shot.
Photo/Kari Heistad
Blake came up big on numerous occasions thereafter: Jermaine Jones ripped a 30-yard thumper that was tipped (73rd), and again on another long range effort by Scott Caldwell (74th), again on Jones (77th), and then on Row’s rebound (77th).
The closest the Revolution came was in the 79th minute, when Juan Agudelo headed a Tierney cross off the crossbar. Moments later, Blake tipped Agudelo’s second effort via side-volley away with an acrobatic stop.
“Good game, it’s disappointing because we left two points out there and we definitely think we should have won,” Nguyen said. “There are three games left so we have to keep pushing. Seeding in the playoffs matters.
“We had more possession of the ball. Philadelphia sat back and it was tough to break down. It was one of those days when they don’t go in. It could have been 5-1, it could have been 1-1. Today it was 1-1.”
The game was played with spray painted football lines, as the Patriots play at Gillette Stadium tomorrow. As a result, the field dimensions were shortened. Saturday was the only time in the regular season that the Revolution will be forced to play on football lines.
If you want to reach Julian, email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
