Impact 3, Revolution 2 - New England Squanders Kamara Brace

The New England Revolution started brightly against the Montreal Impact before it all unraveled in the second half.

Kei Kamara scored a first half brace only to have it canceled out by Michael Salazar's two goals and a Ignacio Piatti penalty as a 2-0 lead evaporated into a 3-2 defeat at Stade Saputo.

New England opened the scoring on a beautiful combination that started with defender Jose Goncalves turning inside his own area and ended with Kei Kamara's first league goal. After scoring his first for the Revs in the US Open Cup midweek, Kamara took a feed from Kelyn Rowe and hit a one timer past Evan Bush in the Montreal net in the 18th minute.

Later in the first half it was Kamara again, this time redirecting a header following a corner kick from Chris Tierney in the 33rd. With the Revs sitting pretty the old adage of the most dangerous lead in soccer would ring true again.

Michael Salazar, an American born Belize international, making his first start for the Impact with Didier Drogba unavailable would capitalize on a loose ball in the Revs area to cut the lead in half right before the half. Goncalves attempted to block a cross while Knighton came off his line to claim the ball, the deflected ball came off of Jose and popped up nicely for Salazar to head into an open net.

After halftime the wheels would completely come off for the Revs. Salazar again would finish after a simple pass into the box was able to bounce for him to finish past an onrushing Brad Knighton in the 48th. Minutes later the Revs were caught in possession and the Impact quickly countered the other way. Knighton would quickly come off his line however Piatti would get to the ball first and the Revs keeper conceded a penalty. It was Piatti himself who stepped up and slotted home the effort despite Knighton guessing the right way and getting fingertips to the ball.

A late flurry from the Revs ended with only frustration to show for their efforts. Daigo Kobayashi fired a shot well over the bar, Kamara was unable to generate much after a stellar first half and a last ditch free kick from Tierney deep into stoppage time went wide as well.

For the Revolution it is just about wasting a two goal lead, but about shoring up the relatively simple mistakes that have lead to goals. The miscommunication on the first goal might've saved the Revs from bad luck had Knighton stayed at home, allowing a cross to bounce inside their own area and then everything surrounding the penalty though Knighton tried his best to rectify the situation in the end.

The Revs waste not only a productive offensive outing from their new star striker but also one of their best performances in the first thirty minutes in a game in recent memory. Despite out shooting Montreal 14-6, it was the Impact that held a 5-4 edge on shots on target as the Revs, despite scoring twice, never really tested Evan Bush.

The Revolution end a long road trip in all competitions, going 3-2 overall but just 1-2 in MLS play after dropping back to back games to DC and Montreal. New England will host two games at Gillette Stadium next week, with NYC FC in a midweek game on July 6th before the "Kamara/Shaving Cream" Derby against the Columbus Crew on July 9th.