Revs win big on Kamara’s trick
FOXBORO — The Revolution need points, and they picked up three big ones last night at Gillette Stadium thanks to the birthday boy.
Kei Kamara registered the first hat trick of his 279game MLS career to spark the Revolution past Orlando City SC, 4-0, to leapfrog Orlando and idle Philadelphia into eighth place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, much to the delight of a wave-producing crowd of 17,865.
It marked the 16th multiple-goal game for Kamara, and his first was the 100th of his career, including regular season and playoffs. Revs coach Jay Heaps lifted Kamara at the beginning of stoppage time so that the veteran could be recognized by the fans.
“I’m 33 today. It came at the right time. There has to be a few 3s in your age for you to get one,” Kamara quipped. “Every ball was just going in. I said, ‘Wow, this feels like a special day.’ ”
Kamara was replaced by newcomer Krisztian Nemeth, who immediately set up Teal Bunbury for the final goal in the 92nd minute.
Midfielder Lee Nguyen, who missed the previous game at DC United with a right hamstring strain, returned to duty and assisted on all four goals, a career high.
“I think the key was just the way we went about it. Tonight we came in with good dialogue. It was a good win, an important win,” said Heaps.
“I think tonight we got back to a real dynamic attack. We moved (Juan) Agudelo around and it opened up the field for Kei and Teal. It created time and space and we really did that well tonight. I didn’t realize it was his first hat trick. He and Teal are really working well together.”
Last night’s game was originally scheduled for March 11 but was postponed due to frigid temperatures that made the conditions untenable for players and fans alike.
The Revs (9-12-5) improved to 9-2-2 at home despite being shorthanded. They played without defenders Antonio Delamea (Slovenia) and Je-Vaughn Watson (Jamaica), both on national team duty, while forward Diego Fagundez (right quad strain) and midfielder Kelyn Rowe (right knee) were sidelined.
Heaps plugged veteran Chris Tierney, who had sat for five consecutive matches, back in the lineup, and handed the Wellesley product the captain’s armband for the night.
“It always means a lot. I don’t take it lightly,” Tierney said.
The Revs grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute on a play that should be included in any highlight film. Midfielder Scott Caldwell worked a give-and-go with Kamara, taking the ball out wide and whipping in a perfect one-time cross that Kamara leaped to volley past a helpless Joe Bendik.
The lead nearly didn’t last as Brazilian great Kaka sent a free kick toward the upper right corner that was punched away by alert Revs keeper Cody Cropper (three saves) in the 30th minute.
The Revs appeared to pad the margin in the 43rd minute, but a goal by Nguyen was negated for offside after video review.
Cropper preserved the lead going into halftime with a late stop using his left foot on a point-blank shot by the ever-dangerous Dom Dwyer.
Kamara scored his second goal, controlling the ball while surrounded by three Orlando defenders and drawing a return assist from Nguyen in the 75th minute.
Revs chances were handed a boost in the 80th minute when Orlando’s Jose Aja drew his second yellow card of the game, leaving the visitors with 10 men. Kamara completed his hat trick in the 89th minute when he took advantage of a bouncing ball to break free and rifle past Bendick.