Kamara’s Brace Powers Revs
- Updated: July 29, 2017
Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Kei Kamara bagged a brace to steer the Revolution to a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
Kamara, who snapped a five-game scoring drought in last week’s win over LA, collected his first in the 38th minute when he thrust his foot into a Kelyn Rowe cross that spilled into the Union net. He netted his second in the 85th minute when he tapped through an Andrew Farrell cross.
Juan Agudelo, who made his first appearance since returning from Gold Cup duty, capped the scoring in the 89th minute on a header that was set up by a Scott Caldwell cross.
With the win, the Revolution (7-9-5, 26 points) netted their second straight win in the wake of a recent four-game winless rut. The loss doomed the Union (7-10-5, 26 points) to a third loss over its last four.
Coincidentally, the Revolution were pitted against a foe that outscored them 10-0 over their last three meetings dating back to last summer. But change was afoot – and not just on the scoreboard.
Teal Bunbury earned the start top following his brace off the bench against the Galaxy in last week’s win. Additionally, the Kelyn-Rowe-at-left-back experiment resumed with Chris Tierney among the substitutes. Cody Cropper was back between the sticks after Brad Knighton was given the start last week.
Local hero and former Revolution striker Charlie Davies, who’s seen scant playing time this season, was not available for selection for the Union.
Saturday’s match was played on a grass surface, which was laid down in preparation for Sunday’s International Champions Cup friendly between Serie A sides Juventus and AS Roma.
Bunbury nearly rewarded Heaps’ faith right out of the gate when he chased down a long ball from Rowe, and hit his shot off the near post inside of four minutes.
After a series of promising forays in the final third, the Revolution finally found paydirt when Rowe crossed it for Kamara, who poked it through to put the hosts ahead going into the break. Rowe made a shout in the 45th minute when ripped a shot from distance that forced a fingertip save from McCarthy.
New England had a chance to make it a two-goal game in the 49th minute. Bunbury sent it across for Fagundez, who was staring a vacant net. But the midfielder was too slow on the trigger, and his effort was saved by a last-ditch sliding stop from defender Jack Elliot.
Philadelphia’s best bid at the equalizer arrived in the 69th minute as Onyewu nodded a ball over the reach of Cropper that was kept out by a rising header off the line by Kamara.
Cropper stood his ground in the 81st minute on a blast from Fabrice-Jean Picault that tested the young keeper.
Despite the Union’s best efforts, the Revolution effectively closed the door in waning minutes. With the guests stretched inside their own end, Farrell centered it for Kamara, who one-timed it through in the 85th minute.
Agudelo poured it on four minutes later when he nodded through Caldwell’s cross to take any remaining air out of the Union’s hopes.
The Revolution will attempt to extend their recent fortunes on Saturday, Aug. 5 at Chicago for their second trip to the Windy City this season. In their initial encounter, the Fire handed the Revolution a 3-0 loss on Apr. 15.
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