New York Red Bulls late goal beats Revolution, 1-0

The New England Revolution’s push to the MLS playoffs stalled in their house of horrors.

Red Bulls New York center back Aaron Long scored in the 89th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over the Revolution on Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena.

The Revolution (7-6-8) failed to clinch a playoff spot but should with two games remaining. RBNY improved to 8-8-5 and are 10-1-2 against the Revolution since Red Bull Arena opened in 2010. The Revolution and the Red Bulls battled to a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 29.

“We should have had a draw,” said Revolution head coach Bruce Arena. “I’m disappointed in the result.”

Diego Fagundez, the home-grown Revolution Academy midfielder from Leominster, enjoyed a milestone moment in his 19th appearance and ninth start. The 10th-year veteran equaled the club record for regular season appearances (261) set by Shalrie Joseph.

The second half began with a predictable pattern and it didn’t take long for both coaches to shake things up. Red Bulls interim coach Bradley Carnell added three formidable substitutes, Cristian Casseres, Daniel Royer and Alejandro Romero, in the 59th minute.

Arena countered in the 63rd minute with three of his most athletic and creative players, Carles Gil, Lee Nguyen and Tajon Buchanan.

Nguyen, the only player in Revs history with 50 goals and 50 assists, set up striker Adam Buksa at the top of the box in the 72nd minute. Buksa pivoted to his right foot and fired a shot that was saved by Bulls keeper Ryan Meara.

“We thought that change could bring us energy and the Red Bulls did the same thing right before us,” said Arena.

The Red Bulls nearly scored in the 82nd minute when Royer set up Romero, who fired a low shot that missed the right post by inches.

The Red Bulls broke the deadlock in the 89th minute on a spectacularly executed corner kick from the left side. Romero lofted the ball into the box where Tim Parker headed it toward Long.

The rangy center back beat Revolution keeper Matt Turner with a hard shot inside the right post for his second of the season. Arena complained that midfielder Tommy McNamara was fouled on the play and the goal should have been disallowed.

“I thought it was a foul, he (Parker) had two hands on me and threw me to the side and got free,” said McNamara. “I spoke to the referee about it and complained about it but he didn’t look at it himself and said no foul.”

Fagundez got involved, handling the Revs’ four corner kicks in the opening nine minutes of the contest. The Revolution misfired on an excellent opportunity in the 17th minute. DeJuan Jones made a deep run on the right flank, deked defender Jason Pendant, and sent a low cross through the scoring area. Fagundez got to the ball but his off-balance shot was handled by Meara.

The Red Bulls enjoyed a productive sequence in the Revs zone after the 30th minute on uncontested shots off target by midfielders Florian Valot and Jared Stroud. Long made goal-saving blocks on Alexander Buttner and Fagundez in the final five minutes of the half.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2HHDXxS