That Empty Feeling
- Updated: October 6, 2012
Revolution keeper Bobby Shuttleworth shook off some early nerves, but it wasn’t enough to save his club from a 1-0 loss to the Union on Saturday. (Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz)
Philadelphia Union forward Jack McInerney scored his seventh goal of the season in the 73rd minute and the Union beat the New England Revolution 1-0 in front of 17,079 at PPL Park.
The Revolution set a club record for losses in a season (17) since MLS went to its current scoring era in 2004. The 1-0 blanking also marked the 12th shutout the Revolution have suffered this season, a new franchise record.
After a scoreless first half, it was McInerney who played the hero when he beat Ryan Guy to the far post and scored in a sequence that looked remarkably similar to the 89th game-winner he grabbed in a 2-1 victory on Jul 29.
The Revs dodged a bullet in the 53rd minute when a Keon Daniels cross from the corner met the head of McInerney at the near post, but his touch went high.
New England didn’t learn their lesson.
Michael Farfan was able to draw a foul from Fernando Cardenas in the corner and on the ensuing free kick, Daniel’s in-swinger found McInerney back post, who headed home the game-winner.
Daniel’s cross sailed over Revolution goalie Bobby Shuttleworth’s reach and above Ryan Guy, who was covering McInerney.
The Revolution’s best chance at equalizing came in the 85th minute as Juan Toja’s cross found Guy, who flicked it on target. Union goalie Ryan MacMath was able to block the low ball and smother the rebound before any New England players could pounce.
The Revolution had two golden chances to take the lead before the Union’s game winner.
In the first half, it looked as though the visitors were going to take the lead. After a traffic jam at the top of the 18, Benny Feilhaber was able to poke the ball through to an open Jerry Bengtson. The Honduran easily beat MacMath to the left but his finishing touch clanked off the post instead of rolling into the net.
And then just moments before the Union goal, Cardenas had a one-on-one with MacMath that didn’t even result in a shot from the Colombian.
Cardenas’ give-and-go with Toja was interrupted but the Revolution received the fortunate bounce. As MacMath charged out, Cardenas danced over the ball as the Union defense retreated. The end result was a vertical pass to Bengtson, who’s shot was blocked.
The Revolution finished the game with 10-men after Feilhaber was sent off for his second yellow in the 88th minute, just two minutes after receiving his first.
Feilhaber was first carded to a collision after the whistle. Minutes later, he received his send off after knocking down Antoine Hoppenot off the ball.
The Revolution will have a long break before being back in action. They will host the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium for their last home game of the season.
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