Red Bulls 1, Revolution 0 - Wright-Phillips Sinks New England As Revs Struggles Continue

The New England Revolution game plan seemed to be a simple one: sit back and absorb pressure from the New York Red Bulls and hit back at the counter.

The only issue with that plan is that you have to be very good defensively, and one mistake could undo an otherwise solid performance.

Bradley Wright-Phillips pounced on a rebound in the 55th minute following up Alex Muyl's effort and for the fourth straight game the Revs offense was shutout as New York claimed a 1-0 win at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.

The Red Bulls dominated possession in the first half, though they only registered two shots on target in the opening forty five minutes. The Revs defense was fairly stout throughout the match, though there were other struggles in transition and building from the back. New England's first chance wasn't a chance at all, but ten minutes in striker Kei Kamara was pushed from behind in the box with Ricardo Salazar motioning for a goal kick.

RBNY midfielder Sasha Kljestan had the game's first good chance close to halftime when he fired a shot from close range only to see Brad Knighton record the save. The Revs had a bright start in right after halftime, maintaining pressure on the New York half for the first five minutes including a decent but high shot from Kelyn Rowe.

But in the 55th minute, Alex Muyl caught Jose Goncalves in possession and caused a turnover. The Revs tried to recover, and did limit Muyl to a shot that Brad Knighton was able to parry away. Sadly for New England, Knighton's clearance went only as far as an unmarked BWP who fired home the opening and eventual game winner past a sprawling Andrew Farrell and a recovering Knighton in goal.

For BWP the goal was his 16th of the season, tying him with NYCFC's David Villa and Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco for the league's Golden Boot race.

The Revs did attempt to mount a comeback in the second, with Juan Agudelo attempting to provide a spark off the bench but he and Kamara couldn't find a desperate equalizer and were caught offside several times. Deep into stoppage time Agudelo fouled Luis Robles going up to claim a ball in the box, to which the RBNY keeper took exception to and rushed over to shove Agudelo. Both players were cautioned by Salazar and the game ended without further incident.

For the Revs they are now winless in their last six and have been shutout in four straight games. Their season now likely hangs in the balance of the US Open Cup Final in Dallas in about two weeks time. New England are five points back of DC United in sixth, and DC also has a game in hand.

RBNY maintains their position in the standings in third place in a virtual tie with Philadelphia but ahead on goal difference. The Red Bulls boast the best home record in the East and are just three points behind conference leaders Toronto and one point behind NYC who play later today.

The Revs return home for two straight games against the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 3rd and NYCFC on Sept.10 before their USOC final at Dallas on Sept. 13.