I decided to wait to write this article. If you watched the game or know what happened, you know the Revs lost to LA in the MLS cup finals in overtime 2-1. I decided to wait because I am a fan of the Revolution, and watching them lose again to LA in overtime was difficult. In 19 years the Revs and MLS have existed, the Revs are 0-5 in the finals. They have lost in the finals more than any other team in MLS history. It might sound nice to say that they have made it to 5 finals in 19 years, but there is no moral victories here. No silver lining in my opinion. Unfortunately the Revs are the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Blues, Utah Jazz, Texas Rangers of MLS. Two other MLS teams have never won the title, NYRB and FC Dallas. Both franchises made one finals and lost them. Although the Revs and Dallas have won trophies in other competitions (Revs won Superliga in 2008 and 2007 US open cup and Dallas won the US open cup in 1997) NYRB has never won anything, except the Supporter Shield. (MLS version of presidents trophy in NHL.)
I was at Gillette Stadium in 2002 for the first finals, with my friends. I still remember most of that day. The excitement, that large crowd that was in attendance, the pre game celebrations, the bald eagle that flew around the stadium before the start, and Carlos Ruiz’s OT goal past Revs keeper Aiden Brown to win it, and how silent the stadium fell except for the traveling galaxy fans. Gillette happened to be the host venue that year. After a mid season manager change, they turned their season around and made the playoffs.
As for the game it self, it wasn’t pretty to watch. Revs were lucky not to lose in regulation. Andrew Farrell had a tough day at the office as LA kept attacking down his side of defense. Farrell couldn’t contain LA’s Zardes all game. And it was Zardes who scored the opening goal of the match in the 52 minute. After that for most of the 2nd half LA sat back on defense and allowed the Revs to attack. Problem was Revs couldn’t get the passing game going and kept giving away possession, allowing LA to counter attack. Revs Finally tied in the 78th minute, Jose Goncalves sent a long pass towards substitute Patrick Mullins, who held the ball and waited for help, and found Chris Tierney, who came from his left back position to help support Mullins, and buried the shoot past LA keeper Penedo. Minutes later Teal hits the crossbar as he tried to chip a shot over Penedo, and until the end of regulation kept the pressure on.
To be honest I stopped taking game notes after the 85 minute. The fan in me came out and watched the rest of the game nervously. Mullins forced Penedo to make a great save in OT. Revs had their scoring chances but couldn’t score. It was a Chris Tierney defensive miscue that lead to Robbie Keane scoring his goal. Not fair to criticize Tierney on the goal, but the Revs defense stepped up at the moment the pass to Keane was made to catch him offsides, but Tierney didn’t and kept Keane onsides, allowing play to continue and score the game winner in OT. Tierney was named Santander man of the match for New England.
At the end it is another Revs loss in a MLS cup finals. 0-5. Many fans are upset about this, but what can we do? But come back next season is greater numbers and cheer on our Revs!