New England Soccer Today

Rolfe’s Heroics Sink Revs

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Longtime nemesis Chris Rolfe scored twice during an 11-minute span in the second half to sink the Revolution, who suffered a 2-1 loss to DC United on Sunday at RFK Stadium.

After Charlie Davies opened the scoring in the 10th minute, giving the guests the lead for nearly an hour, Rolfe leveled it when he volleyed through a Fabian Espindola cross at the far post in the 70th minute. Ten minutes later, Steve Neumann fouled Miguel Aguilar just inside the area, setting up Rolfe from the spot to seal the win for the hosts.

The Revolution wasted little time putting their foes on notice on a well-worked sequence that saw Lee Nguyen take it into the box and slide it centrally for Davies. Although the Revolution striker was caught somewhat flat-footed, he was able to get enough of the ball to redirect it inside the far post in the 10th minute.

Nguyen found no fewer than three opportunities to widen the margin following Davies’ strike, but was unable to crack the board.

Wastefulness on the part of the guests allowed DC to creep back into the match after the hour, and in due time, established a rhythm that put the Revolution on their heels.

That pressure eventually got the best of the Revolution in the 70th minute. Espindola, who came alive during the second half, played a dangerous ball toward the far stick, where Rolfe met it with the inside of his left foot and sent it through.

Reeling from DC’s ambition as well as the steamy temperatures, the Revolution all but handed the go-ahead to Ben Olsen’s side when Neumann made a clumsy tackle on Rolfe inside the box in the 80th minute. Referee Ismail Elfath pointed to the spot, where Rolfe buried it a minute later to lift United to its first win in three tries.

The Revolution will return to action on Wednesday at Columbus. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm.

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