Revolution 3, Sporting KC 1: Kamara, Agudelo Lead Way in Crucial Win

In dire need of a late-season win, the Revolution welcomed Sporting KC to Gillette Stadium on Saturday night. And the home side took care of business, riding goals from Kei Kamara and Juan Agudelo to a 3-1 victory.

Kamara got things started for the Revs in the 4th minute with a composed, one-one-one finish past Sporting KC keeper Tim Melia. The former Kansas City forward collected a through ball from Agudelo, turned toward goal and slotted a side-footed shot into the back of the net.

For the ensuing 41 minutes, the Revolution controlled the flow of play. Peter Vermes’ high-pressure approach—which he deployed out the gate—proved ineffective, as the Revs used a flurry of passing sequences to run behind the Kansas City back line.

One such opportunity arrived in the 19th minute, when Kelyn Rowe pushed past the Sporting defense, received a pass from Kamara and tried to beat an onrushing Melia. The goalkeeper denied his opportunity with a strong save.

These chances continued to sprout up throughout the first half, with Nguyen—who played higher than his typical no. 10 role—and Agudelo—who often tucked underneath—interchanging on several occasions.

On the other side of the ball, Sporting struggled to find an attacking rhythm. Scott Caldwell and the Revolution defense left little room for the visitors to maneuver in the attacking third, preventing Kansas City from taking a single on-target shot in the first frame.

But in the second half, all of this changed. Kansas City came flying out of the gate and, in the 49th minute, leveled the match with a Dom Dwyer tap-in off a successful corner kick.

The goal temporarily shifted momentum to Sporting KC, who continued to open up the match with strong attacking play.

The Revolution refused to break, however, and ultimately grabbed the lead back in the 75th minute when Nguyen forced an own goal. After receiving a pass across the face of goal from Kamara, Nguyen ripped a shot off the near post. His strike hit the back of Sporting defender Kevin Ellis and trickled into the back of the net.

Eight minutes later, Agudelo capped off an exceptional attacking evening with a goal that put away the match for good. Off a broken corner, Kamara again freed himself and played a ball across the goalmouth. His pass met a streaking Agudelo, who buried his close-range shot and gave the Revolution a decisive 3-1 advantage.

The Revs now sit two points out of playoff contention, though Montreal—the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference—has a match in hand.

Jay Heaps’ team returns to action on October 16 vs. Chicago.