By Benson Petit-Clair
The Revs, who were in the middle of a 2 game losing streak, defeated Chicago for the third straight time. Second half goals from Juan Agudelo, the EPL bound striker and Kelyn Rowe was enough to secure a needed victory over the visiting Chicago Fire
New England improved to a (9-9-6) record after beating Eastern Conference rival club, the Chicago Fire at Gillette on Saturday night in front of 14,630 fans.
The hosts were in command throughout the first half, controlling the ball for more than 60%. However, Chicago had two of the best scoring chances in the first half.
Chicago’s best chance of the match came in the 18th minute, when Mike Magee, the league’s top goal scorer, hit the post on a powerful shot which the rebound was saved by New England Goalkeeper Matt Reis who received the starting nod over Bobby Shuttleworth. Reis Recorded his third clean sheet of the season in as many match.
Agudelo back-heeled effort broke the deadlock just 9 minutes after the break, while Kelyn Rowe, who missed a good scoring chance 2 minutes prior, doubled the lead in the dying minutes of the match.
The first score of the match came after a long ball by Chris Tierney which found Agudelo who then chipped Fire Goalkeeper Sean Johnson back- heeled with the exterior of his right foot.
Newly acquired Charlie Davies made his debut for New England; he came in the match for Chad Barrett in the 79th minute. He hinted after the match that he may be fully ready in two or three weeks.
“I’m glad that we got the three points. That’s the most important thing. Am I happy with my play? Absolutely not. But it’s good to get the junk out of my system now, before we start getting into tougher situations. Just getting out there felt great. This is a team where I think I’ll really be put in a position to succeed. The midfielders create a lot of space for the forwards and provide great chances and great service, so I’m psyched. I’m psyched for the games ahead and once I get my feet back under me after the craziest two weeks, three weeks. I think things will go much better than they had today.” Stated Davies.
Kelyn Rowe sealed the deal for New England when he converted a rebound in the box in the concluding minute of the match.
Up next, New England will return to MLS action on Sunday, Aug. 25, to host the Philadelphia Union while Chicago will return home to face Sporting KC on Aug. 23.
Line-ups:
New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Chris Tierney, Jose Goncalves ©, A.J. Soares, Andrew Farrell, Diego Fagundez (Ryan Guy 86), Lee Nguyen, Scott Caldwell, Kelyn Rowe, Chad Barrett (Charlie Davies 79), Juan Agudelo (Saer Sene 68)
Substitutes Not Used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Jerry Bengtson, Kevin Alston, Stephen McCarthy
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry, Bakary Soumare, Gonzalo Segares, Dilly Duka (Daniel Paladini 73), JeffLarentowicz ©, Arevalo Rios, Joel Lindpere (Alex 63), Juan Luis Anangono (Quincy Amarikwa 64), Mike Magee
Substitutes Not Used: Paolo Tornaghi, Logan Pause, Mike Videira, Hunter Jumper
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