Rowe Lifts Revs To First Win Of 2015

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Matt LaPan, Go Local Sports Reporter

The Revs won their first match of 2015, 2-1

It was a cold, snowy March day in New England and the New England Revolution were in search of their first goal, and first win of the 2015 season. They accomplished both as Kelyn Rowe played the hero in a 2-1 home win to give the Revs their first win of 2015.

The Revs controlled possession early in the game, creating a pair of corner kicks, but the first real chance of the game came in the 11th minute from San Jose. Midfielder Innocent Emeghara made a nice run into the middle of the field and let a shot off, but it sailed well high of the net.

Early Revs Chances

The Revs came back with good chances of their own in the 12th and 14th minutes. In the 12th minute, defender Chris Tierney delivered a cross into the box with Kelyn Rowe waiting on the far side. Rowe let a shot off but the shot was blocked by San Jose. The ball bounced out to Lee Nguyen, but his attempt sailed high.

In the 14th minute, the Revs won a free kick in the attacking third of the field. The free kick was taken by Chris Tierney, who put the first shot on frame for either team. His curling shot was saved by David Bingham, keeping the game level at 0-0.

Rowe Gets First Goal

The Revs finally ended their scoreless streak to start the season when Kelyn Rowe put the ball in the net off of San Jose defender Shaun Francis. Rowe received the ball from Lee Nguyen, but it was Daigo Kobayashi who set the play up with a great steal in the attacking third off of Francis. It was the first goal of the season, ending a 291 minute scoreless streak. The assist went to Lee Nguyen.

“I know it was going to be on target, and that was my goal” Rowe said about the opening goal. “Top of the 18, on the right side. Put that ball on target — you got Charlie, you got Juan [Agudelo], you got Lee [Nguyen], other guys just really pouncing on the ball. So it’s one of those where, if it goes in, it goes in but if not we’re going to get a good rebound.”

Rowe tried his luck again in the 28th minute when he took another shot from distance, but this time it was easily gathered by Bingham.

Rowe nearly found another goal in the 35th minute, but Bingham made a terrific save to keep the score 1-0. Rowe received a cross from Tierney and bounced it off his chest. Bingham made a last-second adjustment to punch the ball away.

Rowe Does It Again

Bingham could not keep Rowe off the board for long, however, as he found the net for a second time in the 37th minute. Chris Tierney delivered a low cross off a free kick which found the head of a diving Darrius Barnes. The ball bounced off Barnes and right to Rowe who was ready to pounce on his second goal of the day, giving the Revs the 2-0 lead. Barnes and Tierney were credited with the assists.

“I thought Kelyn was excellent,” Revolution coach Jay Heaps said. “Not just on the goals but also just the way he pressured, the way he played. His connection with Charlie [Davies] up top but also with the midfielders. I Kelyn, tonight, was excellent all the way around.”

When asked about setting up the goal, Barnes said, "I I took upon myself to try and get in the mix and get something on frame. I asked Keyln if it was going in and he said no, so I'll give it to him. But to get that assist on the goal was great, and Kelyn getting two goals is even better."

Rowe continued to play with supreme confidence when he let off another chance in the 43rd minute. Rowe got the ball on the right side of the box from Lee Nguyen and let off another shot. His chance was right at Bingham, however, and the Revs maintained the 2-0 lead.

First Half Domination

The Revolution dominated the half with a 14-3 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in shots on target. The Revs lost the possession battle, with San Jose holding the 50.6% to 49.4% edge. Kelyn Rowe took seven shots in the half with five going on goal and his two goals.

"We were expecting a physical game,” Barnes said following the match. “And they came with it. So we were able to match it the first half, and I thought after we matched it we were able to put the ball down in play and open them up a little bit. I thought the first half, we completely dominated the game.”

The Revs got their first chance of the 2nd half very quickly from Charlie Davies. Davies received a nice pass behind the defense from Chris Tierney. Davies made a break for the net but Bingham made a sliding stop. The rebound went out to Juan Agudelo but his shot was well wide of the net.

San Jose got just their second shot on frame in the 52nd minute on a low shot from Shea Salinas. The shot was easily saved by Bobby Shuttleworth.

The Revs got a great chance off the foot of Juan Agudelo in the 55th minute, but it was a great defensive play by Victor Bernardez that kept the shot off net. Agudelo got the ball at his feet off a deflection of a Lee Nguyen ball. He turned and shot but Bernardez stepped in front with his left leg to block the shot and end the threat.

Wondo Makes It A Game

Despite the Revs seemingly being in control of the game, the Earthquakes got back in the game in the 62nd minute off a penalty kick goal for Chris Wondolowski. He got the penalty after Scott Caldwell was called for clipping Clarence Goodson in the box. It was Wondolowski’s 3rd goal of the season and cut the New England to 2-1.

San Jose found their attack again in the 83rd minute off a corner kick. The corner came in and Bernardez put a good header on it, forcing Shuttleworth to make a save.

San Jose nearly found two equalizers in stoppage time as the Revs held on to their lead. First, Wondolowski let off a screamer, but Bobby Shuttleworth poked it high of the net. On the ensuing corner kick San Jose floated one high of the net. That was the final chance of the game as the Revs escaped a late attack to get their first win of 2015, 2-1.

“We knew that maybe it’s not going to be pretty at the end,” Revolution captain Jose Goncalves said following the win. “But we won, who cares. For us, the most important thing is the three points.”

With the win the Revs move to 1-2-1 with four points. They will be on the road next week to take on the Colorado Rapids.

Rowe Lifts Revs To First Win Of 2015

Related Slideshow: New England Revolution vs. San Jose Earthquakes - 3/28/2015

Staying Warm

Warmups

Through The Snow

The Earthquakes

The Revolution

Making The Cross

Clearing The Ball

Flying Attack

Making His Run

On The Board

Regaining Possession

Double Take

Back In Action

Making Bingham Work

Physical Battle

Eye On The Ball

Defensive Stop

So Close

Through The Defense

Paying The Price

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