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May 30, 2009
WINNERS AT LAST!
Ralston’s pk snaps Revs’ winless streak
by Brian O'Connell
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Steve Ralston, here battling DC United’s Chris Pontius, snapped the Revs’ six-game winless streak with a 90th-minute pk.
Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images |
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Taylor Twellman returned to the pitch, and Steve Ralston’s last minute penalty delivered the New England Revolution’s first win since April 4, 2-1 over conference rival DC United Saturday night in front of 15,271 at Gillette Stadium.
DC’s Fred registered the first goal of the match, in the 36th minute. Shalrie Joseph equalized for the Revolution in the 55th minute, then sealed the win when Ralston slotted home the game-winner in the 90th.
“Obviously having your main striker back lifts everybody,” said Revolution manager Steve Nicol. “It just helps you all around.”
Indeed, the Revolution had their hands full early, as DC hit the gas immediately. Seven minutes into regulation, Luciano Emilio headed a shot that clanked off the crossbar.
Three minutes later, Emilio struck again, sliding through the New England defense and pushing a shot goalward before Mat Reis smothered it for an easy save.
Unfazed, the Revolution returned fire in the 13th minute, when Darrius Barnes’ throw in found Chris Tierney in the box. The midfielder tried to push three hurried shots through, but was stuffed on each one by DC defenders.
Then, DC offered a rebuttal when Bryan Namoff crossed a perfect ball to Rodney Wallace, whose header snuck past Reis and skipped toward goal before the ‘keeper dove back to recover it inches off the line in the 17th minute.
Minutes after Jeff Larentowicz went off after getting struck in the face by a hard DC pass, Taylor Twellman – who has been sidelined with the lingering effects of a neck injury suffered last season -- entered the match to a wave of cheers from the home crowd in the 25th minute.
Twellman’s presence nearly put the Revolution up, when the striker headed Ralston’s pass on frame only minutes after his season debut.
But United was ready to strike again when Fred launched a warning shot that clinked off the crossbar in the 35th minute.
Seconds later, the Brazilian midfielder didn’t miss. With less than ten minutes left in the half, he took a short pass from Emilio then fired a 20-yard rocket that found the back of the net.
At halftime, Nicol inserted striker Kenny Mansally for Tierney in the hopes of keeping the attacking fires stoked.
And the Revolution capitalized ten minutes later. Ralston took a ball near midfield and pushed it ahead to Mansally, who was making an overlapping run. Mansally sent a cross toward the far post, where Joseph nodded home the equalizer.
“Ralston played a great ball to Kenny, and Kenny put a superb ball into the area,” said Joseph. “I put it on target and it went in.”
It was clear that Revolution had become a team reborn with Twellman up front and Joseph back in the middle.
“The second half was clearly the best we’ve played all season,” said Nicol. “We showed some heart and played some good soccer.”
But with the score locked at one, and the Revolution desperate to secure three points, chances would remain.
One such chance materialized in the final minutes of regulation. With the ball bouncing around United box, Twellman attempted to collect it, but was pulled down by Namoff. Referee Hilario Grajeda rushed over and pointed to the spot, despite vehement DC protests.
From there, it was elementary. Steve Ralston easily pushed right to give the Revolution the game-winner in the waning seconds.
“It was huge win for us,” said Ralston. “Tonight we fought back against a good team, and it feels good.”
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