New England Soccer Today

Better Late Than Never

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Je-Vaughn Watson unlocked a scoreless match late to send the New England Revolution to a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

Watson’s header in the 85th minute beat Sean Johnson to put the Revolution ahead after the Fire keeper made a number of impressive saves to frustrate the hosts up until that point. It was Watson’s second goal in as many games after he scored in Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup win over Philadelphia.

The hosts found opportunities to get the jump on the cellar-dwelling Fire. New England outshot their foes 7-3 before the break, with long blasts from Kelyn Rowe and Lee Nguyen serving as strong opportunities to break through.

Although their attack was generally lackluster, Chicago nearly pulled the rug from under the Revolution in the 57th minute when Jose Goncalves nearly knocked a David Accam cross into his own net before Bobby S huttleworth thwarted it with a spring-heeled save.

Second-half substitute Diego Fagundez gave a shout for goal when he and uncorked a curling shot from 25 yards that forced a diving save from Sean Johnson. Fagundez made Johnson work again in the 84th minute on a well-hit effort that rocketed right at the Fire keeper.

With the win, the Revolution extended their modest unbeaten run to three (2-0-1) while the Fire were unable to get their first road win since 2014.

The Revolution return to action on Sunday, Jul. 31 when they face Orlando City SC at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm. Earlier this season, the conference foes played a controversy-ridden 2-2 draw in Orlando that featured a pair of questionable calls late.

7 Comments

  1. Robert

    July 24, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    Brian,

    A nice win for the Revs, but I still think the team could use more depth at the CB position. Woodberry is a nice player, but he is not the answer at the position. The transfer window has been open with the Revs holding several international spots and a DP spot available to the roster. We have seen some of our competition supplementing their rosters while the front office has been eerily quiet without even a whisper of a transfer rumor (exept for Diego moving to Italy). Have you heard anything about the club making moves before the window closes? I honestly believe that they could make a real run once they solidify the backline. Thank you.

    • Matthew Carter

      July 24, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      I’m hoping the revs can make make at least one addition to the team hopefully at defense. I remember AJ Soares is out of contract and could be available.

      • Brian O'Connell

        July 24, 2016 at 11:12 pm

        Have to think Soares is on the radar at the very least. They still own his MLS rights, and if he’s looking to return to MLS, he’ll have to go through Revs one way or another. And not a moment too soon. As Robert alluded to, I don’t think the Woodberry-Goncalves partnership is a permanent solution. The easiest – and perhaps the smartest – play is to re-sign Soares, who already knows the system and has experience playing with Goncalves. Bringing in a starting caliber-CB midway through the season is a tough proposition because of the amount of time it takes to acclimate to a team’s defensive style. They obviously wouldn’t have to do that Soares.

        • Matthew Carter

          July 25, 2016 at 8:23 pm

          we’ll we can only hope that we do try to get soares back on the revolution. AS you mentioned woodbury-goncalves partnership isn’t the best and London has made mistakes from time to time. If aj isn’t available for some reason we gotta look for a an experienced defenseman, but make sure he isn’t coming off an injury or anything like that as we have had past situations like that

          Also its just my opinion but I would try to strengthen the forward position to help kei, teal & juan, so that being said maybe this offseason we trade davies.

          • Peter

            July 25, 2016 at 9:29 pm

            U Americans Revs fans are all negative just enjoy the moment soars would b a nice addition money talks bullshit walks Kraft is CHEAP The REVS have a chance of a cup at last A CUP is A CUP I think the winner of the US CUP price money is 1/4 million more than MLS Cup prize money

  2. Peter

    July 26, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    Soars has signed 4 Denmark soccer team that’s good 4 him I hear that Diego has an itallian passport he needs to go with a team in Europe pity the revs cannot send him on a loan to a European club to develop to the next level

    • Matthew Carter

      July 30, 2016 at 10:53 am

      stinks we couldn’t have signed AJ. I’m not upset, lets hope they can get at least 1 defender and maybe a forward before the transfer window closes. other than that I’m all prepared for tomorrows game against Orlando. 3 crucial points on the line. Lets bring our A game boys. REVS FOR LIFE

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