The Morning After: Revolution at Fire

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

The officiating may have been suspect, but then again, what else is new in MLS? Nevertheless, no matter how you slice it, the Revolution were bounced from the fifth and final playoff spot following a 3-2 loss at Chicago on Saturday.

Let’s take a look some stats, tidbits and assorted goodies from a game brimming with playoff implications.

– Among Revolution starters, Stephen McCarthy and Scott Caldwell led the way in the passing accuracy department by completing 86 percent of their passes. Juan Agudelo, who came on in the 71st minute, also completed 86 percent of his passes. Not far behind were Diego Fagundez and Lee Nguyen, both of whom finished the night at 84 percent.

-As a team, the Revolution’s 79 percent overall passing accuracy rate was two percent above the MLS median (77 percent).

-Among Fire starters, Juan Luis Anangono was the most precise passer as he finished the night with an 88 percent success rate. Austin Berry, Mike Magee and Jeff Larentowicz were right behind, as each completed 83 percent of their passes.

-As a team, the Fire’s 72 percent overall passing accuracy rate was right around their league-worst 72.5 percent success rate this season.

-Surprisingly, Lee Nguyen led the Revolution in tackles (4) as he attempted to help thwart the Fire’s inspired attack. Revolution antagonizer Bakary Soumare led the Fire with four tackles, as well.

-Bobby Shuttleworth has now allowed 10 goals in his last three games, and has a 2.40 goals against average since his last clean sheet back on July 20.

-The Revolution have now conceded goals in four straight games, their longest stretch this season without posting a shutout. Previously, the Revolution hadn’t gone more than two straight without collecting a clean sheet.

-For all the controversy surrounding the decisions made by the assistant referees Saturday night, let the record show that the Revolution conceded an eye-popping 23 shots, with 10 of them on target.

-With Reis suspended and third keeper Luis Soffner out due to injury, league pool keeper Brad Stuver was on call for the Revolution in case of an emergency. Coincidentally, Stuver was picked by Montreal four spots ahead of Soffner in this year’s SuperDraft.

-The Revolution’s record against the opposition in their final six games: 3-3-2, with a -2 goal differential.

Tweet of the evening:

No one is happy about that one, but there is no time to hang our heads. Redemption comes Saturday at home against DC. #itsnotover

— KelynRowe (@Krowe210) September 15, 2013