New England Soccer Today

A Dream Debut

Revolution forward Jerry Bengtson battles with Red Bulls defender Wilman Conde for a 50/50 ball during Sunday’s 2-0 Revolution win. (Photo: Kari Heistad)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It didn’t take Jerry Bengston very long to formally introduce himself to the Foxboro faithful.

Less than a half-hour into his Revolution debut, the 25-year-old Honduran international collected his first MLS goal in Sunday’s 2-0 win over the Red Bulls.

While Bengston’s 84th minute strike wasn’t glamorous by any means, Revolution head coach Jay Heaps believes it won’t be the last time Bengtson bags a goal from a broken play.

“I think you’re going to see more goals like he scored where it’s a poachers goal,” Heaps said. “He’s offside on the first part of the build up, but then he comes back onside and he fights off the goalkeeper and scores. Those are his kind of goals and we need someone who puts those away.”

In many respects, it had to feel like a charmed introduction for the Revolution’s newest Designated Player. After coming on for the snake-bitten Blake Brettschneider in the 60th minute, Bengtson banged home the first – and only – shot on frame he found during Sunday’s game.

“I’m always thinking about scoring goals,” Bengtson said through an interpreter. “But the most important thing was scoring the goal so we could win the game. I want to make sure the team is working hard making sure we’re in the position with points.”

While Bengtson isn’t the first Revolution player to score in his debut, the fact that he found the back of the net so quickly is an encouraging sign – especially in light of his whirlwind first week.

“It’s not an easy transition,” added Heaps. “He literally signed his contract and joined our team in less than 12 hours. I think we have to manage expectations and make sure that he acclimates well.”

Bengston will leave shortly after Saturday’s game against Toronto for the London Olympic Games to represent Honduras and could be gone until late-August. But once he returns, Bengston can look forward to perfecting his partnership with Sene and scoring more goals.

Meanwhile, Heaps, who inserted a goal-scoring second-half substitute for the fourth time in five games, couldn’t help but be pleased with the good fortune found by his newest signing on Sunday.

“[My dream debut for Jerry Bengtson would be to] put him in the 60th minute and have him score,” quipped Heaps about his substitute’s memorable debut. “I wish.”

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