Crew catch Revolution on extra-time goal
Revolution 1 Crew 1
The Revolution’s fast start to the season hit a bump with a 1-1 tie against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field Saturday night.
After dominating the contest and taking the lead on a 58thminute own goal, the Revolution (5-1-2, 17 points) played shorthanded after Dylan Borrero was red-carded in the 65th minute.
And the Revolution were within seconds of completing a victory before Sean Zawadzki’s header equalized for the Crew (4-1-3, 15 points) in the eighth minute of added time.
Borrero set up the opening goal with a cross intended for Giacomo Vrioni that Crew defender Milos Degenec sent into an open net. Borrero then was ejected by referee Chris Penso after taking down Mohamed Farsi and will be suspended for next Saturday’s match against Sporting Kansas City.
The Revolution held on through most of added time, which was extended by a threeminute delay for a VAR review that upheld a non-call, before Zawadzki glanced a Lucas Zelarayan cross past Djordje Petrovic.
The Revolution dominated the contest from the start, and Petrovic did not touch the ball until the 19th minute.
Vrioni, making his first start since the season opener, kept the Crew defense off balance and Borrero and DeJuan Jones dominated the left side. Vrioni nearly converted twice, a shot knocked out for a corner by Patrick Schulte (12th) before Vrioni chipped Schulte off the crossbar (39th).
The Revolution kept the pressure on and Degenec was cautioned (43rd) after appearing to strike DeJuan Jones in the face, and remained in control until Borrero’s red card.
The Revolution, extending their winless streak in Columbus to nine games (0-6-3) since 2014, entered the game in second place in the Eastern Conference standings, a point behind FC Cincinnati, which visited St. Louis City Saturday night.
Observations from Saturday’s game:
▪ Defining moment: The Revolution appeared set to protect their advantage before a 90th-minute cross appeared to glance off defender Andrew Farrell’s hands, which were behind his back as he jumped. Crew players pleaded for a penalty kick but the non-call decision appeared to be correct.
The Video Assistant Referee review process helped extend the time of the game well past the original five added minutes.
“I think the game management by the officiating crew and the VAR at the end was very poor,” Revolution coach Bruce Arena said. “They scored, on my watch, in the 98thminute. So, I’m disappointed with all of that. That simple.
“If they’re going to use their phony baloney standard of clear and obvious why would it take that long to decide it’s not a foul? It was obviously not clear and obvious if it takes you that long to come to that conclusion. Unless they see it otherwise.
“[It was] a poor job by the VAR.”
▪ Difference-maker: Borrero was nearly unstoppable on the left wing, forcing defenders to stay back, and pulling the Crew midfielders out.
Borrero went into Farsi’s ankle with a two-foot tackle, Penso issuing a caution then a second yellow for dissent. With Borrero out, the complexion of the contest changed completely.
▪ Tactical: The Revolution’s 4-2-3-1 alignment functioned well, but the offense missed Gustavo Bou.
Borrero and Jones dominated the left side and Vrioni provided a target as a lone striker.
▪ Statistical analysis: The Crew ended up with 60 percent possession, as the Revolution dropped into defense for the final 25 minutes (plus injury time).
▪ Road ahead: The Revolution will have three home matches in a week — league games against Sporting Kansas City Saturday and FC Cincinnati on April 29 sandwiching a US Open Cup contest against Hartford Athletic on Tuesday, April 25.
▪ What they said: Arena on Borrero: “Well, he’s a young, immature player and you’re in a game with a referee that’s probably immature, as well.
“I think the yellow card for dissent, a strong referee doesn’t give that. The yellow card for the foul was clear. No question about that. [Borrero] has to grow up. He’s still a young player. He has to mature.”