Juan Agudelo helps Revolution tie D.C. United
New England seems to be regaining its defensive mojo.
FOXBOROUGH — The Revolution have hired a succession of coaches who were former defenders or goalkeepers. But the team’s defensive reputation has been tarnished this season, as it entered Saturday night’s game against D.C. United with the worst goals-against mark in the league.
After a 1-1 tie with United, the Revolution seem to be regaining their defensive mojo.
The Revolution (3-8-4, 13 points) rallied after goalkeeper Matt Turner was red-carded early in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution opened the scoring on Juan Agudelo’s third goal of the season, then surrendered a late penalty kick to Wayne Rooney, snapping a 180-minute shutout streak.
The Revolution improved to 1-0-2 under interim coach Mike Lapper, a former US national team defender, before a crowd of 20,131 that included recently-hired coach/sporting director Bruce Arena, who is expected to begin guiding the team in a visit to the LA Galaxy on Sunday, June 2.
In the opening half, outside backs Brandon Bye and DeJuan Jones advanced into the attack as the Revolution threatened. But the Revolution’s open style left them vulnerable, United’s best chances a Rooney free kick and a Frederic Brillant shot saved by Turner.
Turner was ejected after leveling Rooney in the penalty arc in the 56th minute. Rooney had sped past the defense, running on to a long ball, and was about to take a touch when Turner leveled him, referee David Gantar immediately showing a red card. Knighton then saved Rooney’s free kick at the left post in the 59th minute. Two minutes later, Cristian Penilla froze the defense on the left of the penalty area before crossing. Agudelo outjumped Marquinhos Pedroso, heading past Bill Hamid at the far post.
The game opened up further, and United (7-4-4, 25 points), playing without striker Paul Arriola (suspended), went into full attack mode, playing with two defenders for the final 10 minutes, striker Quincy Amarikwa and midfielder Zoltan Stieber entering.
Rooney slammed the penalty kick into the left side of the net after Gantar detected a Bye handling violation off a Steven Birnbaum shot following a video review.
