Revs keep an Open mind
Goals by Fagundez, Wright foil D.C. United
The Revolution not only won their U.S. Open Cup match by defeating D.C. United, 2-1, last night, but they also may have found a new cheer: “Go, Cat, go!”
That much was made certain after former University of Vermont standout Brian Wright opened the second half with his first professional goal to join Diego Fagundez in supplying all the offense the Revs would need to turn back D.C. United before a crowd of 2,572 at Harvard’s Jordan Field.
The win advances the Revs to the quarterfinal round on July 13 at Harvard against the New York Red Bulls, who last night beat the Philadelphia Union in a shootout, 4-3, in Harrison, N.J.
Wright, the Revolution’s top draft pick in January’s Super Draft picked a good spot to capitalize on his playing time.
“Obviously, being a real young guy, and not being on the field, it’s tough to get your minutes in,” the former Catamount said, “but they always say, like, keep working hard at practice and when the opportunity comes just make the most of your chances. I thought I tried my best tonight.”
Revs coach Jay Heaps called it “a great first step” for his rookie forward.
“We see that in practice. We see that every day,” Heaps said. “Now, we want to see it on a consistent basis and get that on the big field.
“Tonight he was solid. I was really proud the way he’s come about.”
With the Revs and D.C. United meeting for a fifth time in U.S. Open Cup play, the action turned against the hosts in quick fashion last night as a ball that initially appeared out of bounds on the far side was crossed by Julian Buscher. The ball landed in the box, where Ian Harkes kept it alive for forward Jose Ortiz to knock it by Brad Knighton inside the right side of the net in the sixth minute.
The goal from the 25-year-old Costa Rican was preceded by an unfortunate miss at the opposite end only one minute earlier when Teal Bunbury placed a shot low off the right post.
The pace teetered back and forth until the 43rd minute when Wright was fouled to set up a free kick. Fagundez beautifully curled a right-foot blast over the wall of defenders and past the dive of former University of New Hampshire star Travis Worra to knot the score in the 44th minute.
Crowd favorite Fagundez, who has appeared in a franchise-high 15 Open Cup matches, ran toward the fans on the far side, blowing kisses as he celebrated his first career Open Cup goal.
“I practiced it yesterday,” Fagundez said, “and today in the locker room I told Chris Tierney and Andrew Farrell that I was going to score a free kick if I had a chance. Brian Wright made a good play and I had my chance and I had to bury it.”
The second half began with Wright clanging the crossbar with a bullet attempt in the 47th minute. Donnie Smith took possession on the left and delivered a cross to Wright, who sealed off a defender with his back before sending a nearside shot home in the 48th minute.
D.C. came close to registering the equalizer in the 80th minute when Sebastien Le Toux, the alltime leading goal scorer (16) in Open Cup history, headed a corner kick off the crossbar.