Charlie Davies is officially on a scoring streak. The New Hampshire native netted his second goal in as many matches in the first half on Saturday night, but a very sub-par second-half showing doomed the New England Revolution to just one point in their home match against the Portland Timbers.
Davies' goal came in the 27th minute. Diego Fagundez slipped a sneaky ball into the box for Davies, who pounced on it and slotted home to the far post from a tight angle. The Timbers shouted for an offside call, but replays showed that it was very, very close.
Defender Liam Ridgewell equalized in the 65th minute. Ridgewell picked off a lax pass and strode through the Revs' midfield and into the box. Largely unchallenged, he simply struck a shot low with his left and past Bobby Shuttleworth to bring the teams level. It was a sequence that would befit a top-level striker or attacking midfielder, but the Revolution defense allowed a central defender to do it.
Shuttleworth was at his best in the 82nd minute to preserve the draw, however. Darlington Nagbe reached the byline in the box and cut back for Max Urruti at the penalty spot. Urruti fired on net for what appeared to be a certain goal, but Shuttleworth was down to his right to bat it away.
Despite a surge near the end of the second half, the Revs looked like a shell of the team that took the lead in the first. Poor second half play is becoming a regular issue for this squad.
The Revs are back in action next Saturday at home against Chivas USA.