By Benson Petit-Clair
The New England Revolution advanced to the Eastern Conference Championship with a 3-1 win against the Columbus Crew at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Revolution won the series 7-3 on aggregate.
Entering the contest holding a 4-2 aggregate-goal advantage, the Revs drew first blood right before the halftime mark when an unmarked Lee Nguyen tapped in a goal for the hosts following a cross to the center by Teal Bunbury. Earlier in the sequence, Columbus Crew’s goalkeeper Steve Clark palmed-away the ball from a surging Bunbury but the winger quickly collected the ball and chip it through the middle for the club’s leading goalscorer Nguyen, who added his 20th goal this campaign.
A minute later, Charlie Davies came very close to double the effort for New England, but his right footed shot from the right side of the box was saved by a well-positioned Clark.
The Crew’s nightmare would continue as defender Jose Goncalves adds another goal for New England in the 55th minute of match. Lee Nguyen and Charlie Davies were credited with the assist on Goncalves’ goal. Soon after the score, Columbus Crew midfielder Ethan Finlay received a straight red for his collision with New England’s goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth.
Tony Tchani pulled back a goal with his head for the visitors after getting a ball from Justin Meram from a free-kick midway through the second half, but Bunbury respobded swiftly by scoring one last goal for the hosts to give them a commending 3-1 victory.
With the win, the Revs will face the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Championship, a two-game series which will be decided by aggregate goals scored over both legs. The first match is set to take place on Nov. 23rd at the Red Bulls Stadium, while the returning leg will take place on Nov. 29 in Foxboro.
Game facts:
New England Revolution: Bobby Shuttleworth; Kevin Alston, Jose Goncalves © (Andy Dorman 79’), A.J. Soares, Chris Tierney; Jermaine Jones, Scott Caldwell; Teal Bunbury, Lee Nguyen (Daigo Kobayashi 75’), Kelyn Rowe; Charlie Davies.
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton, Darrius Barnes, Steve Neumann, Diego Fagundez, Patrick Mullins
STATS: Shots 15, Shots on target 10, Saves 6, Corner kicks 4, Offsides 2, Fouls 8, Possession 46.0%, Passes 354 (76.6%)
Columbus Crew: Steve Clark; Eric Gehrig (Josh Williams 56’), Michael Parkhurst ©, Tyson Wahl (Adam Bedell 46’), Waylon Francis; Ethan Finlay (Sent Off 61’), Wil Trapp, Tony Tchani, Justin Meram; Hector Jimenez; Jairo Arrieta (Ben Spears 74’).
Substitutes Not Used: Matt Lampson, Emanuel Pogatetz, Chad Barson, Kevan George
STATS: Shots 17, Shots on target 7, Saves 7, Corner kicks 5, Offsides 2, Fouls 12, Possession 54.0%, Passes 400 (77.8%)
Referee: Armando Villarreal
Assistant Referees: Peter Manikowski (AR1) and Corey Parker (AR2)
Fourth Official: Chris Penso
Weather: Clear and 51 degrees
Attendance: 20,184
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