Revs Fight To 0-0 Draw With Crew

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Matt LaPan, Go Local Sports Reporter

The Revs remain unbeaten at home in 2015

The New England Revolution returned home on a beautiful day in Foxboro to take on Columbus Crew SC in a rematch of the 2014 MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals. Both teams were evenly matched throughout the physical conference battle, but neither team could get the advantage as they fought to a 0-0 draw.

The Revolution received a boost before the game started as midfielder Jermaine Jones made his return from offseason sports hernia surgery to make his first appearance of the season. "[It was] pretty nice," Jones said when asked about returning to game action. "Long time now that I'm out from playing, but it's always nice to be back on the field."

Exchanging Chances

The Crew had the first good chance of the day, but an Andrew Farrell defensive play ended the threat. Ethan Finlay received a cross in the box with space, but Farrell came across the box to step in front and block the shot. The Revs were able to clear and end the early threat without allowing a shot on frame.

The Crew continued to to use the wind to their advantage, getting another chance towards net in the 21st minute. Justin Meram had a good look on net, but Andrew Farrell stepped in for another key block — sending the ball high of the net.

The Revs got their first chances of the match in the 32nd minute. The Revs won a corner kick, which was delivered in by Lee Nguyen. The ball ended up at the feet of Jermaine Jones who took a touch before letting off a shot. The shot was caught in traffic, however. The Revs had another chance before the ball was cleared as Teal Bunbury delivered a great ball into the box, but offsides was called.

The Crew came right back with a good chance of their own off a corner, this time Kei Kamara getting the attempt. He received the ball off the corner and volleyed the ball to himself before attempting a turning shot, but Darrius Barnes stepped in to block the shot. Barnes did take the worst of the play, however, getting kicked in the head and having to leave the game momentarily.

New England did not waste any time getting back on the attack, as Juan Agudelo nearly set-up Nguyen. Agudelo took a touch on a long ball forward and flicked it to Nguyen. Nguyen tried to push the ball over Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark, but he was in good position to make the save.

The Revs sustained the attack and had a great chance in the 37th minute. Kevin Alston played a great cross into the box where he found Juan Agudelo. Agudelo put the chance on frame, but Clark was in great position again to make the save.

The teams went into halftime level at 0-0. Crew SC outshot the Revs 5-3 in the half, but New England had a 2-0 advantage in shots on target. They did lose the possession battle by a 59-41% margin.

Defensive Second Half

The Revs got the wind at their backs for the 2nd half, allowing them to play more balls forward. They made one tactical change as Andy Dorman subbed in for Jermaine Jones. “It was predetermined,” Revolution coach Jay Heaps said when asked about Jones playing only the 1st half. “The idea was to get him a full warmup. Get him through a normal warmup with our guys rather than bringing him in with only the 15-minute halftime warmup.”

After an extremely slow start to the 2nd half, the Revs got their first chance in the 66th minute off a free kick. Lee Nguyen won the free kick and took it, but it was right to Clark for the easy save.

Neither team could get another good chance in the half, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw. "I thought our defense was quality. It was really good," Heaps said. "The last play of the game was probably one of the only times we felt pressured."

The Revolution moved up the Eastern Conference standings, getting their 8th point and moving to 2-2-2 on the season. They will return to action on April 19 as they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union.

Revs Fight To 0-0 Draw With Crew

Related Slideshow: New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew SC - 4/11/2015

Coaches Meeting

Strong Showing

Columbus Crew SC

New England Revolution

Back In Action

Intense Action

Lockdown Defense

Captains Clearance

Alston's Impact

Surveying The Scene

Paying The Price

Checking On Barnes

Fortress Foxboro

Going Forward

Good Chance

Defensive possession

Breaking Free

Going Forward

Free Kick

Into The Box

Defense By Diego

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