The New England Revolution extended their unbeaten streak to five on Sunday when they defeated the Seattle Sounders by an impressive score of 5-0. Diego Fagundez’s two goal performance led the charge with Patrick Mullins, Teal Bunbury and a Chad Marshall own goal rounding out the scoring.
The victory over Seattle comes on the heels of impressive results against reigning champions Sporting KC and the deep-pocketed Toronto FC. Although many pundits are now labeling the Revs as one of the best in MLS, head coach Jay Heaps remained reserved in his post-game press conference.
“We don’t send messages, we just play hard,” Heaps said. “For us we’re just going out and playing what’s on our schedule. Every game for us is hugely important.”
The Sounders had the first opportunity of the game when Clint Dempsey redirected a Marco Pappa cross toward Obafemi Martins. The Nigerian’s close range header was blocked Bobby Shuttleworth and cleared by Darrius Barnes.
The visitors would rue the missed opportunity as Chris Tierney would help create a goal in the 14th minute. The local product sent in a cross from the left that was hit on goal by Bunbury. Stefan Frei did well enough to stop the initial shot, but the follow up was tapped in by Mullins to give the rookie his second goal in as many games.
The goal was the first of many times that the Revs would exploit the amount of space that Seattle allowed on the flanks. The right side was particularly vulnerable because of right back DeAndre Yedlin’s affinity to get forward.
Fagundez was the next payer to take advantage of the space when he scored in the 29th minute. Tierney collected the ball after Seattle struggled to clear a corner kick. The left back would then play the ball forward to a patiently waiting Fagundez, who powered in a right-footed shot for his first goal of the year.
“It’s a relief for me because I have been waiting for this one for a while,” Fagundez remarked “Hopefully now I can bang some in because I’ve been working towards this one a long time.”
The teenager didn’t have to wait long to get find another as he collected his second of the night soon after Bunbury scored in the 36th minute. Once again, Fagundez was making the most of the gap left by the forward-thinking Yedlin. After collected a long ball from Bunbury, Fagundez put the ball in the back of the net.
This was the first multi-goal performance of Fagundez’s career and it came on a special night. While the Massachusetts native celebrated the second goal by running towards the fans, he made a heart with his hands after the first goal as a symbol to all the mothers that support their children.
“My mom has been here since the first day,” Fagundez revealed. It’s great that she still supports me everywhere that I go. She still comes to every game and sees all the goals.”
The Revolution sealed the victory soon after halftime when Bunbury forced an own goal. The capper came in the 46th minute when Bunbury hit a ball towards net. The shot/cross was deflected into the net by Chad Marshall.
Seattle’s Kenny Cooper had a chance to bring one back in the 77th minute but Shuttleworth did well to stop the shot. The save was one of six for Shuttleworth, which is a high for the season.
The Revolution will now travel to Philadelphia where they will hope to continue their good form against the Union on Saturday. Recent results have given the Revs a lot of confidence as they head towards the World Cup break.
(Image courtesy of Kari Heistad)
