Revs 1, Union 1 - Blake's Heroics Hold New England to Draw

This is going to feel like a loss for the New England Revolution.

Despite dominating the game, the Revs were unable to score vital second goal as Philadelphia Union keeper Andre Blake made ten saves on the night as the two teams drew 1-1 at Gillette Stadium.

New England got on the board first thanks to a penalty kick goal in the 36th minute from Lee Nguyen. The Revs midfielder was taken down by Union defender Fabinho at the top of the box as he dribbled across the field. Nguyen stepped up and buried his penalty into the low corner past an outstretched Blake.

But the second half featured just as many sloppy moments for the Revs as it did amazing ones. There were plenty of bad giveaways and missed passes that led to Union chances and eventually they would capitalize as the Revs were at times stretched with the dominance in possession and aggressive pressure in the midfield.

Fernando Aristeguieta received a pass from Warren Creavalle in the corner of the area and was able to turn and beat Jose Goncalves and Bobby Shuttleworth with a low shot to the near post. It was one of only two Union shots on target in the match out of just five total compared to the Revs eleven on target out of twenty.

The goal did wake the Revolution's offense up, and the onslaught of Blake's goal began as New England looked for the go-ahead goal. Jermaine Jones lined up a shot from about 35 yards out that forced Blake into a save with the rebound to Fagundez being blocked. Another Jones shot was parried away by Blake and the ensuing corner would eventually be cleared but not before Scott Caldwell had an shot on goal as well. Diego Fagundez would have a shot from the wing saved as the Revs began piling up shots and corner kicks deep into the second half.

Blake's best sequence came near the 80th minute when Juan Agudelo put a powerful header off the bar, but the Union were unable to clear. A second chance came into Agudelo and the striker fired a near point-blank scissor volley on frame only to have Blake claw the effort over the bar. Blake would finish with 10 saves on the night, half of which were spectacular and the Revs had to settle for a point. The Revs were unable to capitalize on a 14-0 edge on corner kicks as well.

The playoff implications are fairly clear for New England. With the New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew and D.C. United all losing it was a chance for the Revs to establish themselves as a clear top two favorite in the East. Instead, the draw means the Revs are still a point behind New York, the Red Bulls also have two games in hand, and tied with Columbus and have not yet clinched a playoff berth mathematically.

The Revs have the far easiest schedule remaining of the Eastern teams, which also makes the dropped two points at home sting perhaps a little more. New England's next game will be at the Chicago Fire on October 3rd at 8:30PM.