Revolution 1, Orlando 3: another second half collapse for New England

The New England Revolution had a chance to further solidify their playoff status in the Eastern Conference on Sunday evening in Orlando, but were unable to do so, capitulating 3-1 to the home side. A bright first half and an early lead were erased in a forgettable second half performance.

Kei Kamara opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a brilliant individual effort. Kelyn Rowe sprung him near the center-line, and the big striker flashed his speed by charging into the box through the right channel, leaving the Orlando defense in the dust before finishing near-post past Joe Bendik.

Orlando, meanwhile, stamped their ownership upon the second half right away. In the 46th minute, a dangerous pass into the box was deflected but fell out on the left to Cyle Larin, who strode in quickly and snapped off a low left-footer to the far post that beat Bobby Shuttleworth and had Orlando on the board right out of the gate.

The home team took the lead in the 64th minute through some slack defending. Brek Shea was able to get the byline and clipped in a cross that just eluded the heads of 6thJose Goncalves and London Woodberry. Andrew Farrell elected to try and wait for the ball, which proved costly when Kevin Molino attacked it over his shoulder and headed past Shuttleworth.

With the Revs pressing for an equalizer, Orlando put the game to rest in the 83rd minute. Some sustained pressure in the attacking end allowed Orlando's talented attackers to create some slick interplay. Eventually, Kaka slipped a quick ball in to Molino at the top of the box, who fired across his body to the near post, where Shuttleworth got hands to the ball but was unable to keep it from the net.

In happier news, both Gershon Koffie and Charlie Davies made their first starts in quite some time, having recuperated from extended injury layoffs. Davies was recently revealed to have been diagnosed with cancer, now in remission.

The Revs are back in action on Saturday, August 6th, at Toronto.