The New England Revolution’s return to league action didn’t go as planned as they were defeated 3-1 by the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night. Sebastian Le Toux had two goals for the visitors with Danny Cruz adding a single. The Revolution’s lone tally came from Saer Sene.
While the Revolution limped into the World Cup break with consecutive league losses to the Montreal Impact and the New York Red Bulls, they did earn positive results during the US Open Cup. Wins over the Richmond Kickers and Rochester Rhinos propelled the Revs to the sixth round of the tournament. The Revolution hoped that their cup form would carry over into league play.
The team was presented with a prime attacking opportunity in the 10th minute when a series of passes between Patrick Mullins and Diego Fagundez put the rookie in on goal, but his left-footed shot was blocked by Zac MacMath. The rebound fell to Teal Bunbury, but Fabio Alves was there to block the shot. Fagundez, who had moved to the right side of the field, whiffed his attempt at a goal.
Fagundez was looking to make amends in the 20th minute when Lee Nguyen presented a perfect through ball. The teenager tried to chip MacMath, but the ball fell into the goalkeeper’s gloves.
The Union began to take control of the game with successive opportunities in the 26th and 27th minutes. The first came after the Revs were unable to properly clear a Union free kick. Sheanon Williams flicked the recycled ball to Maurice Edu, whose volley sailed high of the goal. A minute later, Le Toux was denied only by the woodwork.
The Frenchman would put his team ahead in the 42nd minute when he pounced on a Revolution mistake. Le Toux intercepted Jose Goncalves’ weak back pass to Brad Knighton before easily chipping the ball into the back of the net.
“On the backline we shall speak a little bit more, maybe louder, but it’s something that happens very fast in the game,” Goncalves reflected. “We’re a little bit late to react, the ball was right into his feet, Brad (Knighton) had nothing to do with this goal. It’s my mistake and I take the responsibility.”
The Revs would concede a second goal in the 69th minute after Cruz collected a pass from Michael Lahoud. The midfielder would march towards goal, unchallenged by AJ Soares, before launching a 24 yard shot that would later be nominated for Goal of the Week.
“The second goal was really a dagger because I thought we were getting momentum,” head coach Jay Heaps said. “We were starting to play like we know how to play and I thought you’ve got to credit Danny Cruz and it was a great finish, a great goal.”
The Revs would get a lift from Sene, who replaced Daigo Kobayashi in the 70th minute. After failing to connect with Chris Tierney’s cross in the 71st minute, the lanky striker scored his first goal of the season in the 73rd minute. Kelyn Rowe played provider as his square pass was tapped in by Sene.
The Union would regain their two-goal lead in the 78th minute when Le Toux hit a low shot between Soares’ legs and past Knighton. The goal, which was assisted by Andrew Wenger, put the game out of reach as the Revs extended their losing streak to three straight.
The Revolution return to action on July 4th when they travel to Utah to play Real Salt Lake.
(Image courtesy of Kari Heistad)
