The Revolution lost 3-2 to Montreal. Photo/Kari Heistad
Mediocre seems like it’s the best word to describe the New England Revolution this season, particularly in the wake of their 3-2 loss to the Montreal Impact on Saturday evening at Stade Saputo.
Kei Kamara scored twice for the Revs, who nearly made it to halftime with a two-goal lead, but the hosts rallied back with three unanswered goals to collect a shock victory.
The clash actually started off well from a Revolution perspective. Kamara picked up right where he left off from Wednesday night’s 3-2 US Open Cup victory against the New York Cosmos, in which he scored twice.
Kamara opened his Revolution account in MLS in the 18th minute. Lee Nguyen got the ball on the left flank, then played the ball forward to Kelyn Rowe, who sent the ball in behind for Kamara. The Sierra Leonean fired first-time, shooting past Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush for opening score.
New England doubled their lead off a corner kick in the 32nd minute. Chris Tierney’s cross at the near most reached Kamara, who rose up and headed the ball down off the turf and into the back of the net.
But Montreal remained optimistic and were rewarded for their resilience.
Rookie striker Michael Salazar cut the Revolution’s lead in the 40th minute. Revs defender Jose Goncalves blocked a cross by Ambroise Oyongo, though the ball floated toward Salazar, who headed it into the net.
The Revolution unraveled after halftime and struggled to halt the Impact’s momentum.
In the 48th minute, Hassoun Camara’s cross from the right flank reached Salazar in the heart of the area, the rookie turning on the shot and freeing himself to slot the ball past Knighton.
Referee Chris Penso then awarded the hosts a penalty kick when Knighton stopped a Montreal breakaway by clipping Ignacio Piatti in the box.
Piatti converted the ensuing spot kick, shooting to the right off Knighton’s outstretched gloves to make it 3-2.
Revolution coach Jay Heaps attempted to give his side a spark by going to his bench, but the inclusion of strikers Diego Fagundez and Femi Hollinger-Janzen didn’t add much to the attack.
The Revs, who have now lost two consecutive games and temporarily sit one point outside of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, will return to Gillette Stadium next Wednesday to host New York City FC.
If you want to reach Julian email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
New England Revolution
Montreal Impact
