Photo/Kari Heistad
On the plus side, the New England Revolution’s 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night didn’t come via another blown lead.
But without veteran players Andy Dorman (suspension) and Jermaine Jones (surgery rehabilitation), the Revolution couldn’t get luck on their side as they suffered their first loss at Gillette Stadium since last July.
A crowd of 16,017 watched the Revolution crumble to a 2-0 deficit in the first half, then make an incomplete, albeit hearty rally to equalize in the second half. Ultimately, there was too high of a mountain for the Revs to climb.
Techera pounds away Vancouver’s first goal. Photo/Kari Heistad
London Woodberry’s poorly executed headed clearance landed at the feet of Cristian Techera in the penalty area in the 18th minute. Techera made the most of the giveaway, pounding the loose ball past Bobby Shuttleworth for the 1-0 lead.
Referee Allan Chapman then handed a straight red card Andrew Farrell for bringing down Techera in the penalty area in the 29th minute, prompting a spot kick. Farrell, who had already been on a yellow card, didn’t appear to make much contact with Techera on the replay. But Octavio Rivero nevertheless stepped up to take the ensuing shot, converting by going right as Shuttleworth went left.
“I think [Techera] kind of got in behind us,” said Farrell post-game. “He kind of got in front of me so I tried to slow him down a little bit. I watched the replay a couple times and I think I tapped his arm. I didn’t grab it, but I don’t think but he makes the call and it’s unlucky. But it’s part of the game and it happens. If I didn’t touch him, Bobby makes a save and we’re not in that hole. It’s tough to put the guys in that type of position.”
Revolution head coach Jay Heaps brought on Kevin Alston for Woodberry at halftime, then told his players not to get too ahead of themselves. At 2-0, a positive result was still in reach, even playing down a man.
“One by one, play by play,” said Heaps. “You can’t look too far ahead, you just need to get a goal back and a play back and not give too much away. But you know we shifted formations…we just kind of altered what we were doing a little bit and had good possession and found good spots and just tried to limit the counter attack. It was more tactical at halftime and then the emotional, motivational side. It was just to really be smart.”
The Revolution actually went about their task of bringing the game back well, out-shooting the Whitecaps 16-12 and 9-6 with shots on target. They took over possession, too, controlling more than half of the play.
Heaps brought on Kelyn Rowe for Daigo Kobayashi midway through the half, then swapped Juan Agudelo for Lee Nguyen in the 77th. Both moves ended up being pivotal to the comeback attempt.
Teal Bunbury pulls the Revolution back one goal. Photo/Kari Heistad
Rowe set up Teal Bunbury for the Revolution’s first and only goal in the 84th minute. A Chris Tierney freekick fell to Rowe in the heart of the area, Rowe knocking the ball down for Bunbury, who pounded a shot through a mob of Vancouver defenders and through goalkeeper David Ousted’s legs to cut the deficit in half.
Agudelo had the next best bid to equalize, his shot at the near post getting knocked away by Ousted.
“I really did think we were going to equalize it and maybe win it. We had a lot of opportunities and their keeper had an unbelievable game. He made some big time saves. Maybe we need some lucky bounces here or there and maybe the game is a little different but we have to look forward now and we have some games to really prove what we can do and get out of this little down stretch.”
The Revolution have accumulated a poor record over the last two months. They have just one win in 10 games and are in danger of falling out of second place in the Eastern Conference. With a trip to Dallas coming up for Independence Day, the Revolution are in a must-win situation if they want to safely stay in playoff position.
If you want to reach Julian email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
