Revs fall 1-0 to Galaxy

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Miguel Lopez’s 69^th minute goal proved all the Los Angeles Galaxy would need to come away from Gillette Stadium with a victory over the New England Revolution. The Revs (3-5-4, 13 points) had several chances to come back late in the match, but their offensive struggles continued as they were shutout for the fifth time in the last eight matches and fell to the first place Galaxy (8-2-5, 29 points).

The Revs used an unchanged line-up from the squad that fell 2-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes the week before, but that consistency proved little help as the Galaxy took the lead in the 69^th minute after David Beckham found Lopez with a deep cross towards the box. Lopez flicked a header from just inside the box towards the far post, beating a diving Matt Reis to give the Galaxy a 1-0 lead.

Zak Boggs blew a golden opportunity for the Revs just over a minute into the game after Benny Feilhaber got the ball from Rajko Lekic and ran behind the Galaxy defense. Feilhaber sent a pass into the box where he found a wide open Boggs in front of net, but the second-year midfielder couldn’t control the ball and sent his effort well high of the net.

Eight minutes later it was Boggs playing the set-up role, getting some space on the right wing and sending a cross into the box. Boggs effort was just a bit too far forward to connect with an onrushing Lekic in front of goal.

Ryan Cochrane failed to deal with a long ball from the Galaxy in the 24^th minute as he headed a bouncing ball into the path of Los Angeles striker Chad Barrett. Barrett dribbled in on goal and blasted a shot towards the near post that Reis just managed to push wide.

On the ensuing corner kick the Galaxy nearly took the lead as David Beckham found Omar Gonzalez. Gonzalez powered a header that bounced down off the crossbar and hit the goal line before bouncing out. The ball found Todd Dunivant with an open net to shoot at, but the Galaxy defender couldn’t direct his header on frame.

Shortly before halftime Landon Donovan headed just wide of the net after being left open on a cross from Beckham.

After taking the lead in the 69^th minute, the Galaxy nearly added a second seven minutes later again through Lopez, whose long range shot was targeted for the lower corner, but was saved by a diving Reis.

The Revs sprung to life and nearly equalized in second half stoppage, shortly after losing Benny Feilhaber to injury and being forced to play down a man. The action first started when substitute Zack Schilawski got a rebound from Donovan Ricketts and put a shot on an empty net. His effort was denied by a sliding Galaxy defender.

The ball fell to Sainey Nyassi on the right wing who whipped a cross into the box that Schilawski volleyed on frame only to see his shot denied by the crossbar. Shalrie Joseph headed the rebound on frame, but saw his attempt cleared off the line. That was the last chance the Revs would have in the match.

The Revs next head on the road to face FC Dallas on Saturday, June 4^th at 8:30 p.m.