Kamara’s Premonition Proves True
- Updated: September 2, 2017
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – During warmups, Kei Kamara had a premonition that Saturday’s match was going to be a big one for him and his teammates.
Maybe it was the fact he turned 33 the day before. Or maybe it was because he was on the cusp of 100 MLS goals. Or maybe it was just good to be back in front of the home crowd following a rocky road trip.
Whatever it was, that fortunate omen unfolded in grand fashion in Foxboro as Kamara scored not once, not twice, but three times en route to a 4-0 Revolution rout over Orlando City.
“I just felt good from warm up,” Kamara said as he held his young daughter during the post-game press conference. “Not just me, I was scoring from the warm up, but the guys were [too]. Every ball was going in the back of the net and I was like, ‘Wow it just feels like a special day today.'”
The first sign that Saturday would be unique arrived in the 26th minute. After laying siege on Orlando City essentially from the start, Scott Caldwell sent a bending cross in front for Kamara, who re-directed it through with his right foot to reach the goalscoring century mark.
After Lee Nguyen – whose four assists matched an MLS single-game record – had a goal nullified by VAR in the 43rd minute, Kamara quieted any concerns held by Revolution supporters when he converted a pass from Nguyen in the 75th minute.
“We seemed to have him in a good position where he was free, or at least 1v1s,” Revolution coach Jay Heaps said. “When he’s in a little bit of space, he can finish. I think that’s clear.”
But the veteran striker wasn’t finished.
With Orlando City reeling due to its poor form and the loss of Jose Aja due an 80th minute dismissal, Kamara punched the back of the old onion bag in the 89th minute to clinch his first career hat trick – a development he felt was at hand following his second strike.
“You just have a feeling it’s coming,” Kamara said. “You score that and you just have a feeling that it’s going to happen and it’s a great honor, seriously. I’m not going to lie, I’ve played this game for awhile and to really be in that moment today, to get a hat trick there, scores those goals, it’s really special. I’m honored for my teammates.”
Few could have predicted the scene that transpired Saturday. After all, the Revolution were only a week removed from a deflating loss to last-place DC, and 13 days from a devastating defeat to New York City FC.
But Kamara? He just felt something was in the air at Gillette Stadium Saturday.
“It’s a special day, seriously,” Kamara said. “It’s a great team win, but I’m going to say it’s one of those days I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”
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