Revs Settle for Scoreless Draw to ATL
- Updated: September 30, 2017
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – All things considered, Saturday’s match at Gillette Stadium could’ve been much worse for the home side.
Less than three weeks after they suffered the worst defeat in club history, the Revolution had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Atlanta United before an announced crowd of 21,925.
Backup Brad Knighton got the start between the sticks, and made two saves to collect the clean sheet. Brad Guzan stopped four shots to thwart the Revolution, who were shut out at home for only the second time this season.
With the draw, the ninth-place Revolution went to 39 points (11-15-6) while the playoff-bound United went to 53 points (15-8-8).
While Knighton’s inclusion may have strengthened the defense, the fact of the matter was that the Revolution needed more from their front four on Saturday.
Following a handful of half-chances, Atlanta authored the first serious threat in the 18th minute on a counterattack speared by Josef Martinez, who drove right at Knighton before the Revolution denied the low shot.
New England returned fire in the 23rd minute when Farrell chipped it forward for Diego Fagundez, who went alone on goal before Brad Guzman denied him point blank.
No doubt there was plenty of attacking spirit from both selections during the first 45, but neither had a goal to show for it at halftime.
More chances unfolded in the second stanza, as Nguyen and Fagundez both kept the United defense honest around the hour mark.
Nguyen nearly clinched the winner in the 87th minute when he fired a free kick that Guzan made a finger-tip save on before it smacked off the bar.
The Revolution midfielder got another chance in stoppage time on a free kick from the edge of the box, but his chip to the far post went begging as Guzan eventually corralled it to preserve the road point for Atlanta.
The Revolution will be off next weekend before they return to action on Oct. 15 for their home finale against New York City FC. Kickoff is 5:00pm.
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