The Revolution celebrate their second goal in a 2-1 win. Photo/Kari Heistad
The New England Revolution got a sweet victory on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium as they defeated their bitter rivals, the New York Red Bulls, 2-1 to take control of first place in the Eastern Conference.
The win means that the Revolution, who have not lost since July 11, have tied a club record for six straight wins.
They’ve also beaten the Red Bulls for the three-game, regular season series with a record of 2-1-0.
Kelyn Rowe’s sixth goal of the season proved to be the difference, his 65th minute tally helping carry the Revolution to victory.
“We came into preseason and we knew we were one of the top teams,” said Rowe. “We had no doubts we’d be in the top two spots by the end…It’s just good to be able to help the team.”
The decisive moment came after Scott Caldwell earned possession at the top of the box following New York’s botched clearance of a Revolution corner kick. Caldwell immediately played Rowe, who slammed a first-time shot past goalkeeper Luis Robles for the lead.
Photo/Kari Heistad
The game was a heated, yet tactical seesaw between two clubs that have all but clinched playoff berths and are also vying for the Supporters’ Shield. There were 37 fouls, including eight yellow cards, while the Revolution out-shot the visitors 12-7.
“Both teams are proactive and aggressive in their approach to the game,” said coach Jay Heaps of the similarities between both teams. “We’re willing to risk for reward. They’re willing to press high and take advantage of those situations and go one versus one.”
That the Revolution was able to contest so tightly with the Red Bulls, who have fallen from first place to second as a result of this loss, should be particularly encouraging to the coaching staff.
Heaps made several changes to the starting lineup on Wednesday since the team played only three days ago in Toronto and will play again on Saturday at Montreal. In central midfield, Jermaine Jones (suspension) was replaced in the lineup by Daigo Kobayashi. Kevin Alston and London Woodberry filled in at full back to rest both Chris Tierney and Jeremy Hall, while Juan Agudelo started up top for Charlie Davies, also with rest in mind.
Photo/Kari Heistad
“We’re doing a bit of roster rotation,” said Heaps. “That’s by design…We’re trying to blend as many as we can by getting guys like Kevin Alston minutes and guys like London Woodberry minutes. So it was about getting them into game, and all the guys knew it would be fight.”
Heaps’ changes didn’t stall the team on Wednesday night, the Revolution jumping out to an immediate lead.
New York’s Sacha Kljestan fouled Lee Nguyen in midfield in the first minute, Nguyen serving the freekick forward to Agudelo, who laid the ball off to for Fagundez to lash into the back of the net off Robles’ fingertips.
New York responded in the 6th minute through Mike Grella, whose first-time blast from the top of the box flew into the upper corner.
The Revolution are 12-2-6 all-time against the Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium. The Red Bulls, though, have played two fewer games than the Revolution and therefore have a better numerical chance of both winning the Supporters’ Shield and finishing the season in the East’s top spot.
If you want to reach Julian email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
