New England Soccer Today

Revs Blow Lead, Draw Against Union

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England will have to wait just a little bit longer to punch its ticket to the postseason.

Lee Nguyen converted a penalty kick to give New England a 1-0 lead in the first half but the Union tied things in the 65th minute when Fernando Aristeguieta drilled a low shot into the near post to level the game.

New England dominated in possession and in chances and if not for the heroics of Philadelphia goalie and UConn alum Andre Blake, the Revolution might have walked away with a comfortable victory and three points.

Over the final 15 minutes, New England peppered the Union with chance after chance, including a header off the bar from substitute Juan Agudelo and then just seconds later, a point blank save on Agudelo’s acrobatic attempt from six yards out.

Blake Shines in Return: Andre Blake was a star for the University of Connecticut for three years and in his first return to New England, was the star of the game. The first overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft hasn’t seen a ton of first team action this season but dominated on Saturday night. Blake had 10 saves in the game which set a club record for Philadelphia.

Missed Chance: Not only did the Revolution miss a chance to qualify for the postseason the earliest they ever have in Jay Heaps’ tenure, they did so against a makeshift Union side. Philadelphia captain and former U.S. men’s national teamer Maurice Edu was not even in the starting 18 nor was striker C.J. Sapong, who had scored nine goals in 17 games this season. Meanwhile, New England sported it’s normal starting lineup and brought on Agudelo and Teal Bunbury off the bench.

Nguyen From the Spot: Nguyen found the back of the net in the 36th minute from the penalty spot for the third time this season. Nguyen was the one to draw the foul as well, making a move around Fabinho before being taken down at the edge of the area. The 28-year-old midfielder has taken all of new England’s penalty kicks this season and is a perfect 3-3.

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