Revs Snap Winless Streak, Shutout Philly

 

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Diego Fagundez and Lee Nguyen scored ten minutes apart in the 2nd half and the Revolution recorded their fourth shutout of the season, downing the Philadelphia Union 2-0 at Gillette Stadium, snapping their five game winless streak.

After a scoreless first half, the 18-year-old Fagundez sent 18,383 Revolution fans into a frenzy, scoring just the team’s third goal this season in it’s seventh game. Fagundez took a beautiful vertical feed from Kelyn Rowe and his close-ranged shot beat Union goalie Zac MacMath far post.

Kelyn Rowe played Lee Nguyen who took the ball towards goal before playing a return pass to Rowe, who sprinted into the zone. After taking a touch and recognizing Union defender Jeff Parke commit to him, his low pass into the area was one-timed into the net.

Just ten minutes later, Nguyen again found himself charging towards the Union 18-year line, and again elected to pass, laying it off deep into the area to Saer Sene. Sene’s left footed shot was saved by MacMath, but the rebound fell right in front of the net to Nguyen who doubled New England’s lead to 2-0.

Bobby Shuttleworth collected four saves in the shutout effort, including a huge one-handed save on Michael Farfan’s shot from just 12 yards out. In the second half, an errant header from Kalifa Cisse led to a break for MLS-leading goal scorer Jack McInerney in the 84th minute, but Shuttleworth’s full out dive to his right prevented Philadelphia from pulling one back.

Rookie defender Andrew Farrell left the game in the second half stoppage time after a collision with Michael Farfan. Farrell was favoring his left leg when being helped off.

The Revolution saw both their possession percentage (55.7% to 38.5%) and passing completion (75.2% to 67.7%) fall in the second half, but goals were the most telling stat.

New England now has a quick turnaround, flying cross-country for a game this coming Thursday against the Portland Timbers. Kick off is scheduled for 10:30pm ET.

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