New England Revolution 1, Chicas USA 0


The Revolution continue their undefeated streak with a solid rain-soaked win at home against underperforming Chivas. (Now with player ratings.)

In the opening minutes, the Revolution look well-organized, but Chivas have personal skill on their side. It's interesting to see Chivas bringing its more skill- and touch-based game to the home of the Revolution's more hardscrabble soccer. MLS has become more interesting this way, allowing Latin, northern European and Caribbean styles to mix and blend. Chivas seem nervous, perhaps it's the weight of four games without a win. The rain is also working against their style of play, although the Revolution seem to be one-touch passing well.
Douglas Sequeira misses a header in the 24th, and then defends well at the other end. Matt Taylor gets around Heaps to fire in a shot at the 27th minute, but Reis saves. The Revolution finally start using the width of the field to great advantage and come forward well several times. In the 32nd, Dorman, Twellman and Ralston exchange short passes on the edge of the area, and the Chivas goalie saves a point-blank Twellman shot, before Chivas scramble of the ball away.
The Revolution midfield is tremendously well organized, it seems there are always three players in a triangle to move the ball around. In the 43rd, Twellman and Dempsey show their emerging understanding in passing. The final cross finds Noonan with some space, and his fantastic volley is saved. New England are knocking on the door as the half draws to a close, but can't quite seal the deal.
Chivas continue to counter-attack, and they find that if they can get in behind the packed midfield they can exploit their advantage in one-to-one situations. But the Revolution are playing the prettier brand of soccer, giving us one backheel after another. I love this, as it's not the first thing you think of when you think of the Revolution. In the 68th minute, a Cancela free kick squirts through the wall, but the goalie smothers it. In the 77th, Twellman (amazingly) outjumps the goalie, but heads just over. In the 81st, the Revs miss a great chance when on a corner the goalie charges out and gives up a rebound. The shot hits a mass of legs in front of the goal, and follow-up efforts are thwarted. The goalie, Brad Guzan, seems injured after the play, he has played bravely and kept his team in it. Finally, in the 88th, Leonard does some nice work on the left flank, and sends a perfect cross to Dempsey, who heads into the goal for the 1-0 lead. The game dwindles out, with the Revolution securing a well-deserved victory and keeping first place in their division and their undefeated streak going. They are now the only undefeated team in MLS.
Now, I add the ratings for Revolution players from the game, on a scale of 1-10:
Twellman 7
Dempsey 8
Leonard 7
Parkhurst 7
Heaps 6
Reis 6
Noonan 6
Ralston 7
Dorman 6
Joseph 6
John 5

Posted: Sun - May 1, 2005 at 09:36 AM          

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