Diego Fagundez’ performance off the bench wasn’t enough to carry the Revolution against Montreal on Saturday night. Photo/Kari Heistad
The New England Revolution blew a good chance to take the lead in MLS’ Supporters’ Shield race, losing to the Montreal Impact 3-0 on Saturday night at Stade Saputo.
The loss was the Revolution’s first since July 11 and snapped their six-game winning streak. They dropped to second in the Eastern Conference. Supporters Shield candidates Vancouver, Los Angeles, D.C. United, and FC Dallas all lost, so the Revolution were unable to make new ground.
Despite measuring up well in midfield and controlling long spells of possession, the Revolution lacked a creative edge and failed to create many scoring opportunities. That didn’t account for the Revolution allowing three goals, though, as a bit of bad luck took its toll.
Steve Neumann, who made his first start of the season in central midfield next to Jermaine Jones, showed poise, vision, and was a key part of the Revolution winning the possession battle. But in the fifth minute, he inadvertently deflected a 20-yard shot by Johan Venegas past goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth.
Montreal doubled its advantage off another fortunate deflection in the 60th minute. Chris Tierney was called for a foul on Didier Drogba outside the box, Drogba smacking the ensuing free kick into the net off Kelyn Rowe’s chest.
The Revolution got a small lifeline when Marco Donadel was red carded for a crunching tackle on Andrew Farrell in the 72nd minute, but didn’t produce much despite the man-advantage.
In fact, Dilly Duka, who came in off the bench in the 71st minute, converted on a breakaway after receiving the ball from Drogba to make it 3-0.
There was a sense that at that point the game—which was set in heavy, incessant rain—needed to end, though the Revolution got a few decent looks at goal.
Rowe skied a shot over the bar in the 80th, then Diego Fagundez looped a free kick over the crossbar in second half stoppage time.
The Revolution’s best chance to score actually came in the 31st minute, a corner kick leading to Neumann serving the ball to the back post for Charlie Davies, whose header was cleared off the line by Montreal’s Laurent Ciman.
Those chances paled to what Montreal was able to manufacture, though. The Impact could have added to their lead on at least two occasions: once in the 15th minute when Drogba clipped the crossbar from outside the box, and another time in the 73rd when Duka chipped Shuttleworth but knicked the right post.
Despite the loss, the Revolution still have a decent opportunity to claim the Supporters’ Shield. They can also clinch a playoff berth next weekend with a win, at home, versus the Philadelphia Union.
Follow Julian on twitter @juliancardillo
