New England Soccer Today

Revs Humiliated at Home by Union

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – An early CJ Sapong goal put the Revolution in an early hole that only sank deeper in a 4-0 loss to the Union on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

Sapong scored inside of two minutes after he beat Jose Goncalves to a Fabinho cross before tapping it through to put the Revolution on the wrong side of the scoreline just as the home supporters settled into their seats. It was Sapong’s third goal against New England this season.

The early deficit failed to spur the Revolution to get an equalizer before the half, and the hosts went into halftime with a deficit in front of the Foxboro faithful for the first time this season.

Chris Pontius widen the margin in the 51st minute after a sequence of sloppy defensive work that opened the door for the Union winger, who did not miss from point blank range.

Three minutes later, Richie Marquez made it a three-goal gap when he knocked through a ball originally orchestrated by Keegan Rosenberry that was redirected by Pontius before it found Marquez at the far post.

Recently-traded striker Charlie Davies, who was dealt to Philadelphia by New England less than two weeks ago, entered the match in the 83rd minute for Ilsinho as the supporters in the Fort chanted the former Revolution striker’s name. He went on to assist on Roland Ohlberg’s 90+2 minute goal.

The 4-0 loss was the Revolution’s worst home defeat since a 4-0 loss to Chivas USA in May 2010.

The Revolution return to action on Saturday, Aug. 20 when they host Columbus Crew SC at 7:30pm. New England beat Columbus in their first meeting of the season on Jul. 9.

5 Comments

  1. silvasoccer

    August 14, 2016 at 12:00 am

    Brian what the Revs get for Davies? a college player? does this coach has a sayin what players come in what players go? I no why he still here 1.50 coach that is why he still here

  2. Peter

    August 14, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Re 2 games in the week why have a bench when u are not using it I blame Mr heaps 4 this loss ie weather heat and tired players the US Cup game was the more important game to me ie to get to finale of the US Cup we have all these reserves soccer players sitting on the bench some of these reserves could have been playing in last night game??? As I have advised b4 the revs need a reserve team ie no Rhino affiliation this Year why not put a reserve team in the same leaugue of the Rhinos using academy and reserve players???????

  3. Robert

    August 14, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    Interesting post-game comments by Chris Tierney who spoke about everybody on the team looking in the mirror. Said he didn’t want to name players but that he would only look into his own mirror regarding recent play. Sounds as if there are some finger-pointing among the players in that locker room right now. Too much talent on this team to get embarassed at home like that.

  4. Rick Sewall

    August 15, 2016 at 10:43 am

    1) When Juan A. returns,I suggest the Revs use two strikers, with Kamara up top with Juan as a withdrawn striker. At this point, what is there to lose?

    2) the talent on the Revs is not up to snuff. Two attacking players- Fagundez and Rowe- are very adequate in the passing game, but lack needed attacking qualities.

    The first is the acceleration and dribbling skill to challenge a defender to the end line. If this challenge does not work , these abilities will often give them the time and space to do something else, like pass or cross the ball, or dribble laterally in front of the goal.

    the second is the ability to shoot properly. Presently, I think that the Revs team mindset is that any shot made outside the penalty area is a long distance shot. I disagree. I say a long distance shot should be 30 or more yards from the goal. Any full time professional player should be able to strike a ball fairly consistently on target within 30 yards, ideally with both feet, but the above mentioned players can’t do it because of 1) poor shooting technique and 2) because they rely on their stronger foot almost entirely. I have to believe that opposing defenders are aware of these shooting habits, simplifying their job.

    Ideally , pro players who are in attacking positions would have both the dribbling and shooting abilities mentioned above, but having just one would make them much more effective, very likely resulting in several more goals. These goals could come in very handy..

  5. Rick Sewall

    August 15, 2016 at 11:09 am

    Andrew Farrell appears to be a delightful and coachable player for the Revs who has been with the Revs for far too long without scoring a goal despite often playing right back, an attacking position in the Revs’ system. Could it be, as the Germans say, “toren furcht” ( something like that), meaning goal fear. This describes a kind of a mental block some players have when shooting at goal.

    I have no real solution for this problem- if it does exist n Andrew’s case- but intensive technical training would be a good start.

    I’m sure he would like to get rid of the beard.

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