:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57158619/usa_today_10337478.0.jpg)
The New England Revolution might’ve missed the playoffs but they did set a new club record for most home wins in a season. On Sunday, the Revs beat New York City FC 2-1 to collect three points at home for the 12th time in 2017.
The game’s defining moment came in the 26th minute when Jack Harrison was shown a red card for a straight-legged tackle on Teal Bunbury. The referee made the call on the spot without using Video Review.
The Revs almost capitalized immediately via a Chris Tierney free kick. The left-footed defender sent in a beautiful ball but Bunbury’s header missed the target.
Tierney was threatening again in the 41st minute, this time sending in a cross from the left side. The service got through the NYC defense but Bunbury couldn’t do anything with it. Lee Nguyen would eventually grab hold of the ball and hit a long-range shot at goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
Krisztian Nemeth nearly had a goal just before the break but Johnson made a save to keep the game scoreless.
Diego Fagundez would be the man to break the deadlock, as he scored his first goal since Jun. 3. Andrew Farrell earned the assist after beating his man on the right flank.
Fagundez should’ve had a second when he was put in by Nguyen for a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper. The young attacker scuffed the chance, leaving the game at 1-0 in the 64th minute.
Nguyen sprung Nemeth in the 68th minute but Johnson heroically jumped off his line to neutralize the danger.
NYC FC almost found an equalizer in the 74th minute when Alexander Callens hit a stinging shot. Unfortunately for Callens, teammate Ben Sweat deflected it away from goal.
The Revs continued their quest for a second with Kei Kamara pushing forward. The substitute got his shot off with Johnson making the stop. Kamara tried again in the 90th minute but Johnson pushed it away.
Fagundez sealed the game in stoppage time, taking two tries to beat the NYC FC defense. Callens stopped the initial shot, but Fagundez pounced on the rebound and put it away.
The Revs needed the goal as Khiry Shelton scored soon after the kickoff. A long ball troubled the Revolution and allowed Shelton to put a header past goalkeeper Brad Knighton.
The final whistle brought the game to an end, giving the Revs full points in their home finale. The team will now look forward to traveling to face the Montreal Impact next weekend.