Fagundez, Agudelo Strike Again

Eighteen year-old Diego Fagundez and 20-year-old Juan Agudelo each scored for the second match in a row as the New England Revolution defeated Toronto FC, 2-0, in the rain at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night.

Fagundez and Agudelo were the goal-scoring heroes last weeked as the Revolution grabbed a surprise 2-0 victory in Houston and repeated the performance on  Saturday’s against Toronto with Fagundez giving the Revolution the lead and Agudelo again scoring late to put the game out of reach.

The win puts the Revolution (4-4-4, 16 points) temporarily into sixth place in the East, while Toronto (1-7-4, 7 points) remains in ninth in the nine team Eastern Conference. New England is now unbeaten in their last three matches and have shutout their opponents in four of their last six games.

Fagundez started the scoring early in the 23^rd minute. The 18-year-old midfielder made a run into the right side of the box and got on the end of a Chris Tierney cross, volleying it past goalkeeper Joe Bendik to the far post, to put the Revolution up 1-0.

Agudelo, who was making his first start for the Revolution, scored his goal three minutes into second half stoppage time after Toronto struggled to defend a Revolution throw-in, putting the game out of reach.

Head coach Jay Heaps made several changes to the line-up that won in Houston. Tierney replaced Darrius Barnes at left back, Scott Caldwell replaced Clyde Simms at center midfield, Agudelo replaced Ryan Guy on the wing, and Jerry Bengtson replaced the suspended Dimitry Imbongo up top.

Perhaps adjusting to those changes, the defense looked shaky early with some poor giveaways providing the visitors with opportunities. Bobby Shuttleworth came up huge for the home side in the 15^th minute, after Jeremy Brockie picked the ball off the feet of Stephen McCarthy and ran in alone on goal. Brockie was one on one with Shuttleworth, but the Revolution keeper was quick off his line, sliding in and knocking the ball away from Brockie before he could fire a shot.

New England then had a chance in the 20^th minute after Lee Nguyen sent a dangerous cross into the box. Nguyen’s effort found a wide open Agudelo, but his header was right at Bendik, who easily made the save.

Fagundez then put the Revolution in front with what would be the game-winner in the 23^rd minute. Fagundez’s goal was his fourth of the season and third in the last three games.

Toronto, searching for the equalizer, pressed some numbers forward in the 32^nd minute and Ryan Richter threatened after receiving a pass at the top of the box. The right back one-timed a powerful low shot that rolled just wide of the near post.

New England nearly doubled their lead in the 60^th minute after Nguyen blasted a shot from 35 years. The reigning Revolution MVP was denied only by the crossbar. Tierney followed that with a shot from distance of his own that was well saved by Bendik.

Toronto attempted to push some numbers forward looking for an equalizer for the last half hour of the game, but struggled to get anything going offensively.

New England then put the game out of reach three minute into second half stoppage time when Saer Sene got the ball off a Revolution throw-in, dribbled into the box and sent a low pass in front of goal that Juan Agudelo tapped past Bendik to make it 2-0. The goal was Agudelo’s second in as many games for the Revolution since coming over in a trade from Chivas USA. Agudelo had scored two MLS goals prior to the trade, bringing his total this season to four.

Toronto nearly got a late consolation goal just before the final whistle, but Jeremy Hall fired wide from inside the box, wasting a great chance for the visitors.

New England head to USL Pro affiliates, the Rochester Rhinos, on Tuesday with a match to kick off their U.S. Open Cup campaign, before returning home to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday in MLS action.

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