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The Revolution faced off against Sporting Kansas City in a shortened, 50-minute long reserve match today in Tucson, Arizona.
Reserve game vs. Sporting KC this morning will be 50 mins. Kickoff in a little less than an hour. Updates here throughout the game. #NERevs
— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) February 27, 2016
This match served as a warm-up for the Revs as they prepare for tonight's Desert Diamond Cup finale versus the Columbus Crew, as well as giving the coaching staff another glimpse of players they haven't seen much of this preseason, such as unsigned goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg who made his first preseason appearance as he awaits a contract to become the Revs' third-choice goalkeeper for the second consecutive year.
The back line consisted of Sambinha and three right backs, as Darrius Barnes, London Woodberry, and Jordan McCrary all got the start. Donnie Smith would replace Woodberry to earn some minutes as well. Head Coach Jay Heaps will likely need to choose just one of the three right backs for the season opener in Houston.
The starting XI had one surprise with the addition of Scott Caldwell. Caldwell is without a doubt a starter, but Heaps wanted some stability in a rather inexperienced midfield. Michael Gamble was eventually replaced by unsigned midfielder Tyler Rudy who slotted in at winger rather than his natural position of defensive midfield. Juan Agudelo returned as the lone striker after playing the second half of Wednesday's match versus Houston on the wing.
#NERevs XI vs. Sporting KC: Spangenberg; Barnes, Woodberry, Sambinha, McCrary; Caldwell, Herivaux; Neumann, Kobayashi, Gamble; Agudelo
— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) February 27, 2016
#SportingKC's starting XI vs. #NERevs will be: Kempin; SAS, Ballo, Ellis, Duke; Olum, Mustivar, Hajderovic; Peterson, Cooper, Salloi.
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) February 27, 2016
The game itself was rather uneventful, finishing in a scoreless draw. No stream was available, so basing off of live updates on Twitter, both sides traded possessions for the majority of the match with each team unable to capitalize on limited chances. SKC trialist and MLS veteran Kenny Cooper had a headed ball hit the crossbar for either team's best scoring opportunity.
Abbreviated reserve game between #NERevs and SKC finishes scoreless. Cooper w/ the best chance off the bar. Onto tonight's DDC final.
— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) February 27, 2016
The Revolution face Columbus Crew SC in their preseason finale tonight at 9 PM EST in the Desert Diamond Cup Final before heading back to New England to prepare for the season opener on March 6th.