Revolution battle New York City FC to a scoreless tie

When two of the best keepers in MLS are at opposite ends of the pitch, the outcome can be predicable

Revolution keeper Matt Turner and New York City FC’s Sean Johnson both recorded clean sheets in a 0-0 tie Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The Revs are 3-3-6 and will host Montreal on Wednesday night while NYCFC is 5-5-2.

Turner and Johnson were teammates on the U.S. National Team during training camp in January. Johnson entered the game leading MLS in save percentage (80.8) and second in goals allowed (9).

Turner was third in save percentage (78.0) and tied for third with 10 goals allowed. Turner notched his fourth shutout of the season while Johnson recorded his fifth.

“I thought Sean Johnson made a couple of good saves in the game,” said Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena.

“He had the one on Teal (Bunbury) in the first half and another one in the second half and that’s what good goalkeepers do. I think Matt wasn’t particularly tested to make a great save, but his composure and position were good and obviously it was another clean sheet.

“Those are two good goalkeepers that played tonight.”

The Revs averted a back-end disaster when defender Andrew Farrell appeared to have twisted an ankle while challenging forward Alexandru Mitrita at the front end of the box. Farrell spent over a minute on the turf but was able to stay in the game.

NYCFC squandered its best scoring chance of the game in the 70th minute. Midfielder Alexander Ring had an unchallenged possession in the box but his kick sailed over the crossbar

Arena made several substitutions in the 70th minute. The Revs enjoyed sustained pressure in the NYCFC end that included several set piece scoring chances.

“Obviously we didn’t capitalize on our chances and we tried to push the game at the end and get a goal,” said Arena. “I think we made one or two mistakes but I think overall this is a much-improved performance for our team than I’ve seen over the last three weeks or so.”

The Revs’ sense of urgency eventually gained traction in the NYCFC end, but forward Tajon Buchanan misfired on two chances in the scoring zone. Johnson denied Buchanan on a header from 20 feet on a subsequent play.

The Revs had a goal taken off the board in the 19th minute because of an offside. Lee Nguyen, who played 89 minutes in his first start since being re-acquired by the team on Sept. 8, set up Bunbury in the scoring area, who fired a low shot that was set aside Johnson. Gustavo Bou kicked home the rebound but the play was ruled offside.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/35SOHDd