Bunbury Gets Best of Former Club Again

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

FOXBORO, Mass. – Teal Bunbury is starting to make a habit of doing something against his former club.

For the second straight game against Sporting Kansas City, Bunbury hurt them where it matters the most: the scoreboard.

“It’s just another game,” Bunbury said when asked if scoring against Sporting KC meant anything extra. “Yeah, I was playing there and everything but I have great friends there. I have all the respect in the world for that organization, their fans. Nothing is ever more when I’m playing against them. Every win feels great.”

In the first meeting between the two clubs in April 26th, Bunbury opened up his Revolution account in extra time of the second half for the game winner. On Wednesday night, Bunbury scored New England’s first goal of the game just before halftime to level the score, 1-1

Jermaine Jones dished up a ball from midfield, crossing to Bunbury on the right side. Bunbury took one touch to bring it down and then another to flick it over defender Seth Sinovic. Bunbury was able to muscle his way around Sinovic and get to the ball first. After taking a touch into the area, Bunbury lowered his head and ripped a shot. The ball deflected off defender Matt Besler and into to the back of the net at the near post.

“It was an unbelievable ball,” Bunbury said of the pass from Jones. “We’ve actually been talking about it in training that he likes to hit that ball over the top, for me to stay wide. Seth came out, I got in behind him, wanted to try to just hit it low, took a deflection, it went in.”

Bunbury and Sinovic battled all night. The first tussle occurred on the right side of the pitch, each earning a yellow card because of fouls on one another. Bunbury was booked first, coming in from behind and clipping Sinovic, just moments after Sinovic had bodied Bunbury off the ball and into the sideline signage. Then, In the 39th minute, defender Andrew Farrell tried to feed Bunbury but Sinovic stepped in and took him down first for a yellow card.

“Seth and I are great friends,” Bunbury said. “He’s a great player. It was a joy to play against him and against Sporting. They’re a great team, but we definitely competed and deserved the win tonight.”

Bunbury is now tied for second on the team in goals along with Diego Fagundez and Patrick Mullins. All three players have four goals. If history is any indication, Bunbury may add another to the ledger when the Revolution and Sporting Kansas City conclude their season series at Sporting Park on September 26.