The New England Revolution returned home for a matchup against Orlando City. With both teas missing key players, Revs missing Jermaine Jones, and Orlando missing Kaka, Kyle Larin to international duties, it would be interesting to see how both sides would play. Clearly the Revs have played several games this season without Jermaine Jones due to injury, but it was Orlando who were hurting a lot more without their star players.
Revs beat Orlando easily tonight 3-0. Lee Nguyen would provide all three assists tonight, as Diego Fagundez, Juan Agudelo, and Chris Tierney all scored for New England. But despite the score line, New England’s last two goals were scored with 6 minutes remaining in the game, and 4th minute of stoppage time. But it wasn’t because New England struggled to create chances against Orlando. In fact the Revs had 8 shots on target against Orlando’s keeper Tally Hall, forcing him to make 6 saves. If not for his efforts, this game could of been easily a 5-0 loss. Even the crossbar came to Tally’s aid early in the first half.
Orlando just had no answer offensively against New England. They consistently dropped 6 to 7 players into their penalty area, often times giving New England space to pass, and not applying much pressure. Orlando would only be able to get 4 shots on target against Revs keeper Bobby Shuttleworth, none of them really threatening to get passed him.
With this win, New England improves their overall record to 11-9-7, 40 points on the year. They have built a small cushion between where they sit in the Eastern conference, 4th place for the moment, and Orlando, who are the first time on the outside looking in for the last playoff spot, with 29 points and 1 game played more. Since their last loss, New England are now 6 games unbeaten. Five wins, one tie during this stretch. Revs keeper Bobby Shuttleworth has now recorded 3 straight shutouts, for a total of 4 shutouts (Brad Knighton shutout NYCFC). With the last 7 games remaining, and a playoff spot to secure, New England looks to be hitting their stride here. Just like last season, when they peaked towards the end of the season, we hope we will see similar results.