Benfica Never Gave the Revs a Chance

Courtesy Revolutionsoccer.net

By Kevin Koczwara

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Revolution barely had a chance to get warmed up before S.L. Benfica opened up the score sheet en route to a decisive 4-0 win for the Portuguese Champions. Benfica took control of the game from the first minute of play and never let the Revolution feel comfortable or get into a rhythm.

Benfica started the scoring in the 15th minute when Filipe Menezes took advantage of a Revolution turnover in their own end. He dribbled into the box, unmarked, and slotted his shot past Revs goalkeeper, Preston Burpo, into the bottom right corner of the net. Benfica’s off the ball movement opened a hole in the defense for Menezes, Revolution defenders were forced away from the ball by Benfica players making positive runs into and through the box, opening a slot for Menezes to slot into and shoot from.

Revs Shorthand Against Red Bulls in Open Cup

Courtesy Revolutionsoccer.net

By Kevin Koczwara

The New England Revolution face the New York Red Bulls tomorrow in a U.S. Open Cup play-in game at 8 p.m. at Red Bull Arena. The Revolution and the Red Bulls are both recovering from tough weekend defeats — the Red Bulls lost, 4-0, to the San Jose Earthquakes and the Revs lost, 3-2, to the Columbus Crew on a heartbreaking stoppage time goal — and looking to rebound in the mid-week.

The Revolution will be shorthanded when they make the trip to New York tomorrow. They will bring 14 players with them including two goalies – that makes only 12 field players and only three substitutes on the bench including a back-up goalkeeper. New England has been forced to fight off injuries all season, but at this tough stretch of games, which includes five more games in May, the Revolution are really starting to fight a war of attrition.