Finally: Revs Claim Win No. 1
- Updated: April 1, 2016
Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Diego Fagundez unlocked a scoreless match in the second half to give the Revolution their first win of the season in Friday’s 1-0 victory over the Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium.
Fagundez scored in the 55th minute when punched a Juan Agudelo ball into the back of the net moments after center back Kemar Lawrence fell to the ground with an injury.
Not long after Fagundez found the back of the net, the Red Bulls went down to 10 men when Felipe was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Kelyn Rowe.
With the win, the Revolution (1-1-3, 6 points) collected their first home win since a Sept. 16 match against the Red Bulls (1-3-0, 3 points). The Red Bulls’ loss doomed them to their third defeat through their first four games of the season.
Quick-start analysis: It may have taken an ill-timed injury from Kemar Lawrence to open the door for Fagundez’s eventual game-winner, but the Revolution will absolutely take it. But the match was far from over even after Felipe was sent off in the 61st minute. The Red Bulls found a pair of prime opportunities to equalize in the latter stages, with an 81st minute corner kick that forced Bobby Shuttleworth to make a point blank save on Bradley Wright-Phillips serving as the guests’ most dangerous threat. While the Revolution were far from perfect, they were able to do something they hadn’t done all season: score, then hold on for the win.
Stat of the match: Fagundez’s 55th minute goal was the first from the run of play since Charlie Davies scored in the 52nd minute at Houston during First Kick.
Nguyen returns: After a recent spell with the U.S. Men’s National Team, midfielder Lee Nguyen made his return to the Revolution XI on Friday.
Rowe steps in for Koffie: With midfielder Gershon Koffie suspended, Kelyn Rowe was called upon to man the spot in the central midfield next to Scott Caldwell. Friday’s match was the second time the fifth-year midfielder was tabbed to man a spot in the deeper part of the midfield.
Woodberry gets second straight start: After spelling Je-Vaughn Watson while he was on international duty last week, reserve right back London Woodberry earned his second straight start while the former FC Dallas defender served the ban he was hit with during the club’s 3-0 loss at Philadelphia on Mar. 20.
Agudelo gets start up top: Juan Agudelo got his first start of the season up top in place of Charlie Davies, who was listed among the substitutes for the second straight match. With Agudelo at the striker’s spot, Teal Bunbury returned to his usual spot on the wing, though the duo often rotated at various points during the match.
Toronto FC awaits: The Revolution return to action on Saturday, Apr. 8 when they host Toronto FC. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm. During last year’s head-to-head series, the Revolution went 2-0-1 against the Reds.
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