The New England Revolution traveled to Philadelphia on Sunday and took on the Union. The story of the game before the start was the defensive back four. Both captain Jose Goncalves and Darius Barnes were both out with muscular issues. Chris Tierney, who has been out with a left ankle sprain, would dress for this game, but started on the bench. No doubt this game Jay Heaps had to put together a makeshift defensive back four. London Woodberry made his first start at right back. Jermaine Jones, who has been playing center back for the national team, started as a center back along side with Andrew Farrell. Kevin Alston at left back.
For most of the game, it didn’t look good for New England. Not many scoring chances on both sides in the first half, although the Union did control possession for most of the first half. But in the 41st minute, after a Jermaine Jones foul, Cristian Maidana curled in a beautiful free kick passed Revs keeper Bobby Shuttleworth. Union could of had a 2-0 half time lead. In the 16th minute Fernando Aristeguieta had a shot deflected off of Bobby Shuttleworth foot, up off the crossbar and out.
The second half started off the same way it ended for New England. In the 60th minutes manager Jay Heaps made a double substitute. Chris Tierney came in for Kevin Alston, and Teal Bunbury in for Kelyn Rowe, and was rewarded almost immediately. Teal Bunbury would provide the assist for Charlie Davies to tie the game in the 64th minute. Teal provided a fresh dose of nutmeg on Union’s Raymond Gaddis and found Charlie Davies, who was unmarked in front of the Union net for an easy goal.
Jay Heaps would make more good decisions as he subbed in Diego Fagundez for Juan Agudelo. 5 minutes later, Diego would provide the assist for Teal Bunbury to take the 2-1 lead. Just like in the first Revs goal, Diego would cross in a pass from the right side into the penalty area, where Teal had a step ahead of his marker to one time the cross passed the Union keeper.
Minutes later on a corner kick, the Union probably should of tied the game on two shot on net, but the perfectly placed Revs players defending both posts on the corner kicks prevented the shot from going in. First time was Lee Nguyen, who headed away the first shot off the line, and seconds later on the other post was London Woodberry. Both shots had beaten Revs keeper, so perfect awareness, set piece defending by both Lee and London.
The game would end in a 2-1 win for the Revs. A good come from behind win for the Revs on the road. New England extends their unbeaten streak to 5 games, 3 wins and 2 ties. During these 5 games, New England only conceded 2 goals, a free kick against the Union, and a penalty kick against San Jose. Despite a constant changing back line due to injuries, New England has not conceded a goal in 5 games during the run of play. Got to credit the players on the field, the keeper Bobby Shuttleworth for making timely saves, and manager Jay Heaps for pushing the right buttons so far. Putting together the starting lineup every week while dealing with injuries since week 1. This also shows the depth this team has.