Final Whistle: #NERevs 2, #LAGalaxy 2
- Updated: May 31, 2015
Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – A rainy evening set the stage for an attack-heavy first half that quieted considerably in the second stanza as the Revolution and Galaxy settled for a 2-2 draw on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Teal Bunbury opened the scoring in the fifth minute to give the Revolution a lead that lasted all of 13 minutes after Ignacio Maganto leveled it in the 18th minute. Gyasi Zardes put the guests ahead in the 27th minute before Diego Fagundez put it back on level terms going into halftime with a brilliant 37th minute free kick.
With the draw, the Revolution’s winless streak went to five (0-1-4) and watched their record go to 5-3-6 (21 points). The Galaxy, who pushed their unbeaten streak to three (2-0-1), watched their record go to 5-4-6 (21 points).
Quick hit analysis: The conditions weren’t the only thing that was sloppy during Sunday’s match. After going up early, the Revolution defense collapsed, even against a Galaxy attack that was missing reigning MVP Robbie Keane. Granted, the Galaxy did get lucky on Maganto’s goal, which came from an oddly-hit Baggio Husidic cross. But the build up to Zardes’ strike was a collective lapse by the defense. Things only went from bad to worse when Jones had to exit the match just after the half-hour mark. Their overall passing accuracy dipped to 66 percent, which to be fair, wasn’t much better than LA’s at 68 percent.
Stat of the match: Fagundez’s free kick goal was the first Revolution goal of the season from outside the box.
Changes to the XI: With Lee Nguyen and Chris Tierney both serving bans, Revolution coach Jay Heaps was forced to make changes to his lineup. Among them were the returns of Diego Fagundez, who started in the central midfield for Nguyen, and Kevin Alston, who manned the left back’s spot for Tierney.
Jones exits due with groin injury: Jermaine Jones was forced to come off shortly after the half-hour after pulling up with a left groin injury. Andy Dorman came on minutes later to take Jones’ spot in the 35th minute.
No Keane for LA, Gordon on the bench: The job of the Revolution back four was made considerably easier even before the opening whistle, as Robbie Keane was not listed on the Galaxy gameday roster. Meanwhile, LA’s leading scorer, Alan Gordon, did not make the XI but came on in the 28th minute.
Onto Portland: The Revolution will head to the Pacific Northwest for the second time this season on Jun. 6 to face the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 10:30pm ET.
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