Revs Out-duel Dynamo 2-0
- Updated: April 8, 2017
Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Kei Kamara and Juan Agudelo both scored after the break to send the Revolution to a 2-0 win over the Dynamo on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
Kamara opened the account in the 52nd minute after he was initially denied by Tyler Deric, who couldn’t corral it before the Revolution striker sent it through on his second effort. The chance was created by a wonderful through ball from Lee Nguyen, who sprung Kamara free into space.
Agudelo capitalized on another rebound Deric was unable to collect, allowing the physical forward to take an open shot from inside the box in the 72nd minute.
Houston nearly found the board in the 62nd minute when Erick Torres broke free alone on Cody Cropper, who went to the ground to make the save.
What it means: It appears the Revolution don’t need to face Minnesota United every week to generate some offense. Two weeks after lighting up the expansion side for five goals, New England attack showed much more promise on Saturday, particularly after a listless first half. With a little help from Tyler Deric’s slippery mitts, the Revolution found the board not once, but twice in the final 45. To be fair, Kamara’s strike was set up by a beautiful through ball from Lee Nguyen, so the fireworks weren’t entirely the byproduct of Dynamo errors. Meanwhile, the Revolution defense, with rookie Josh Smith at center back and Kelyn Rowe curiously positioned at left back, did enough to bottle up Houston’s vaunted offense. On the whole, there were plenty of positives to take from Saturday’s game, which showcased a Revolution team that certainly has that potential to be a contender this season.
Stat of the match: Saturday’s clean sheet was the Revolution’s first of the season.
Josh Smith stays in XI: Six days after making his MLS debut, rookie center back Josh Smith was back in the XI, starting in place of veteran defender Benjamin Angoua.
Rowe gets surprise nod over Tierney at LB: No doubt the biggest lineup surprise for the Revolution was Kelyn Rowe’s assignment at left back over regular Chris Tierney. Rowe, who made two starts at right back last year, had never started at left back during his six-year pro career before Saturday’s match. Tierney was an early sub in Sunday’s draw at Portland.
Trip to the Windy City awaits: The Revolution return to action on Saturday, Apr. 15 at Chicago. Kickoff is set for 5:00pm. Last year, New England went 3-0-0 against the Fire, including a U.S. Open Cup semifinal victory.
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