The New England Revolution are moving forward to the US Open Cup final thanks to a convincing, 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Tuesday night at Gillette Stadium.
New England – who have been mired in inconsistency throughout the MLS season – managed to reverse the Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde effect against their longtime rivals, as Kei Kamara, Je-Vaughn Watson, and Teal Bunbury all scored.
This is the Revolution’s second trip to a major championship final since Jay Heaps took over as coach after the 2011 season and will mark their first appearance in the US Open Cup final since they won it in 2007 against FC Dallas, 3-2.
This year’s final will be played on September 21 against either the Los Angeles Galaxy or Dallas, who play on Wednesday evening in their semi-final; the victor will host the final.
Booking an appearance to the final might be enough to jumpstart the Revolution’s momentum as the playoff race heats up.
Given their poor form in league matches, the Revs didn’t seem the types to get this far in the US Open Cup.
Though they were helped, without a doubt, by Chicago’s own poor run of form. The Fire entered Tuesday’s match last in the Eastern Conference and on a 35-game winless run in road matches.
So the Revolution, who entered the semi-final wih the league’s worst defensive record, may have had a slight edge in confidence.
The hosts dominated from the opening whistle, rarely looking overmatched by an opportunistic Fire side.
Kelyn Rowe earned a penalty kick when he was clipped in the box in the 15th minute. Kamara converted the ensuing spot kick, firing left for the 1-0 lead.
Chicago provided a brief scare minutes before halftime when David Accam cut his way through traffic in the area and fired a low drive past Revs goalkeeper Brad Knighton to equalize.
But the Revolution regained the lead moments later in the 42nd minute, when Chris Tierney’s corner kick deflected in the heart of the area to Watson, who tucked away the go-ahead goal.
Bunbury made it 3-1 when he took control of possession near the top of the box in the 85th minute of Kamara pass, blasting a bouncing shot into the net past Chicago’s Matt Lampson.
Tempers flared briefly just before stoppage time when Accam came in late and hard on Rowe, sending the Revolution midfielder to the ground.
Both players got into one another’s face, the Fire forward raising his hands at Rowe’s face and pushing.
Referee Edvin Jurisevic consulted with his assistants, then ejected Accam and cautioned Rowe. Accam displayed his anger as he walked off the pitch, kicking a sign board.
Regardless of the late-match scrum, the Revolution managed to hold on and book a trip to US Open Cup final, which could turn into the defining moment in an otherwise forgettable season.
Winning the tournament comes with a $250,000 cash prize, though the bigger token up for grabs is a berth in the 2017/18 CONCACAF Champions League.
Chicago Fire
