Revolution 1, Vancouver 2 - The Home Unbeaten Streak Gets Snapped

After only registering a win in one of the their last 10 games, the New England Revolution did themselves no favors, as they fell 2-1 on Saturday night to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

While the home side managed to force David Ousted into two sprawling saves within the first fifteen minutes, New England dug themselves into a hole in the 18th minute. Mauro Rosales served in a curling cross from the right flank, only for London Woodberry to head back across the face of goal and into the path on an onrushing Cristian Techera.

The diminutive Uruguayan playmaker collected the failed clearance and made no mistake when putting his side up 1-0. Already beleaguered by the uninspired start, matters got worse for the Revs in the 29th minute. Andrew Farrell, who was already on a yellow card, controversially twisted Techera’s arm as he burst past him.

Head referee Allen Chapman, who did take a moment to pause, went to his back pocket to give Farrell a straight red card. He also awarded the Whitecaps a penalty kick and Octavio Rivero made no mistake on the ensuing spot kick to put his side up 2-0.

With a tall task ahead of themselves, the Revs went into the halftime interval searching for ideas and ways to crawl back into the match. While a brilliant chance fell by way of Kekuta Manneh in the 64th minute, the Revs asserted themselves with aplomb as Vancouver’s man advantage made little difference.

Following Manneh’s near finish, the Revs began to create more chances and Ousted’s goal came under increased pressure. Teal Bunbury, who employed industry along the right flank all night , flicked a header just wide of the far post in the 77th minute.

A short time later Kelyn Rowe fired up a header of his own, only for Ousted to brilliantly get down low to deny the Revolution midfielder. Less than a minute later, Ousted flung himself again to deny a surefire goal.

While frustrated from Ousted’s efforts, the Revs found their lifeline in the 84th minute when Bunbury saw a Vancouver attempted clearance bounce to his feet. Wasting no time to finish, Bunbury lashed a half-volley past Ousted and the search for an equalizer ensued.

Despite continued pressure, the second goal could not be found. The Revs next play on July 4 when they play against FC Dallas in Dallas.