Short-handed Revs nip Union
The New England Revolution recorded three points under taxing circumstances with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Friday night at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.
The Revolution played the final 30 minutes with 10 men on the field after midfielder Arnor Traustason picked up a red card in the 59th minute. The Revs combined exceptional team defense with big saves by backup keeper Brad Knighton to preserve their one-goal lead. Knighton, who started in place of Matt Turner, collected his fifth win in six starts and his third clean sheet.
“There was a lot of smart play with 10 players working together and Brad Knighton came up with some big plays,” said Revolution coach Bruce Arena. “Our whole back line did a good job and collectively the guys did a very good job.”
The Revolution improved to 16-4-4, the best record in MLS, and are one game closer to securing the club’s first Supporters’ Shield. The Revs moved to 7-3-3 on the road and 2-0-1 against the Union, with an uncompromising effort in a match that involved 23 fouls, six yellow cards and a melee in stoppage time.
“Sometimes we don’t care how we win, we just want to win,” said Matt Polster, who scored the game’s lone goal in his 100th MLS start. “Granted I don’t think we want to do that again but it’s good to show that kind of grit and character.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy so to come out with three points is huge.”
The Revolution entered the game down Turner (USA), midfielder Tajon Buchanan (Canada) and striker Adam Buksa (Poland), who were competing for their respective national teams at the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Playmaker Carles Gil, who missed the last six games with a muscle injury, entered the game in the 67th minute.
The Revs scored in the 33rd minute on a fabulous collaboration between Traustason and Polster. Traustason lofted a free kick from the left flank as the Revolution converged on Union keeper Joe Bendik. Polster got behind defender Stuart Findlay and scored on a diving kick inside the near post. Polster notched his second of the season, both against the Union.
“It was pretty much a standard set piece for us and we all have our individual runs,” said Polster. “I just tried to beat my man and I just got behind the defense and pretty much got the goal.”
The Union applied relentless pressure early in the second half that included a huge save by Knighton on Revs’ killer Paxten Aaronson in the 54th minute. The Revolution’s troubles were exacerbated when Traustason was issued his second red card of the season by referee Jair Marrufo.
“It was a poor decision on his part and he has to learn from this, he’s an experienced player,” said Arena.
Knighton denied Aaronson for a third time on a screamer from inside the middle of the box in the 61st minute. DeJuan Jones set up Scott Caldwell for the insurance goal but his shot in the scoring area sailed over the crossbar.