The Revs won this weekend over the Colorado Rapids, 2-0. After a bad start to their season, the Revs have now won two straight games, and 3 undefeated over all. The first half was mostly controlled by New England. In the 21st minute New England scored their first goal when Kelyn Rowe dispossessed a Rapids player of the ball and launched a long ball into the penalty area where Juan Agudelo was able to score. First goal on the road and first lead on the road. Despite Colorado’s anemic offense this would prove to be a good test for the Revs defense and their defensive pairing of Jose and Andrew. First half saw more positive play by the Revs, especially after taking the lead. Scott Caldwell continued to be physical in the midfield. Juan Agudelo and Charlie Davies continued to show positive signs playing together. Just before half time Colorado started to attack more. A great scoring chance was headed over the bar, and keeper Bobby Shuttleworth had to make a great save.
Colorado pushed a lot more in the 2nd half. Bobby Shuttleworth had to make several saves in the 2nd half. In the 53rd minute Charlie Davies was tugged down in the Rapids penalty box, that was called in favor of New England. A weak call perhaps, but the penalty shot was converted by Lee Nguyen, to make it 2-0 New England. In the 58th minute, a wild sequence of plays in the Revs area, a missed hand ball against Colorado, followed by a shot that hits the post, rebound to a Rapids player who was brought down in the box, pk called and called off due to a Rapids player being in a offside position. Needless to say, Rapids manager Pablo Mastroeni blew his top in anger at the ref over the pk call getting over turned. He was upset enough with the pk call against him minutes before, a bad start to the season, 18 games winless, and now this. The ref would red card Pablo and his day was done. Also during this time Revs captain Jose Goncalves suffered a knock and took himself out of the game. A cause for concern, but fingers crossed it was only due to the high altitudes more than a muscular or structural injury. Colorado would continue to pile the pressure for most of the half.
At the end New England were able to preserve the shut out. But not because their defense, but mostly I think because of a lack of a killer instinct to finish the shots for goals on Colorado’s part. I feel most teams would of been able to score with the amount of attacks Colorado had. But give credit to where credit is due. At the end New England was able to finish off the game and hold on. Keeper Bobby Shuttleworth was player of the match in this game. He picked up his 2nd clean sheet of this season.