A different looking Revs lineup vs Columbus

Following last weeks win vs a depleted Toronto FC side, the New England Revolution were looking to continue their winning  ways at home, when they hosted the Columbus Crew. While Columbus were missing winger Pedro Santos, the had more of their core players available, and owning a better overall record than last weeks opponents, this match was looking to be a more tougher matchup than Toronto. In their last three matches prior, the Crew kept three straight clean sheets, and now following this win against the Revs, the Crew now has four straight clean sheets.  In their first meeting, back on April 21, in Columbus, the Revs did secure a 2-2 tie.

The big talking point of this match will be the formation change specific for the Crew. Manager Brad Friedel lineup with three central defenders and two wing backs.

Even though the stats showed that Columbus were the better team in the first half, the Revs forced Columbus’s goalie to make more saves the Matt Taylor. But despite that, the Crew had their shots on net, just not on target.

 

However, it was Columbus who scored the only goal of the match. On a night when it rained for most of the match, and the kind of passing by the Revs, described by the players themselves, sloppy, it was on a set piece situation that Columbus scored. Lalas Abubakar, who was completely unmarked, just made his header look too easy against the Revs.

Initially it looked like it was Jalil Anibaba who was suppose to mark Lalas, but lost track, or unable to keep up, allowing Lalas to get a uncontested header on target.