Dube Does it Again

Kheli Scores Game-Winner Against Crew

May 25, 2008

By Sean Donahue

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kheli Dube's second goal in as many matches also proved to be another game winner as the Revolution rookie gave the Revs a 1-0 win over Columbus in with an 89th-minute goal Saturday night.

Goalkeeper Matt Reis had come up huge 15 minutes earlier to keep the match scoreless and the Revs held on after Dube's heroics to move into a tie for first with Columbus in the overall standings. The loss marked the first time the Crew had failed to win at home and put an end to their six-game unbeaten run.

Kheli Dube scored his second game-winner against Columbus on Saturday. (Photo credit: Joyce Furia).

Dube's late game winner came after some good work at the top of the box between Steve Ralston and Shalrie Joseph earned the Revolution a penalty kick. Ralston played a pass to Joseph just outside the box, who immediately sent it back to the Revolution captain who was just inside the arc. Ralston then turned to shoot, but was tripped by Ezra Hendrickson. Referee Richard Heron immediately pointed to the spot and Joseph stepped up to take the penalty.

The Grenadian international sent a hard shot to the lower right corner, but Crew 'keeper Will Hesmer was equal to the task and made an impressive save. However, Dube was the first to the rebound and slotted it past Hesmer for his second career goal.

Fifteen minutes earlier the Crew had perhaps their best chance of the match. Frankie Hejduk got off a cross towards the 6-yard box, where Eddie Gaven rose and sent a powerful header to the far post. Reis made an impressive diving save on the point blank shot, getting just enough on it to push it wide of the net.

It was the Revs who had threatened first in the 17th minute after Dube earned a dangerous free kick just outside the box. Mauricio Castro took the set piece and drove a shot on frame, but saw it deflected just high by Hendrickson.

Alejandro Moreno had an opportunity at the far post for the Crew off a Hejduk cross in the 26th minute. Moreno put a hard shot on target only Reis came up big to push it wide.

Sainey Nyassi, a half time substitute for the Revs, put in a nice shot in the 69th minute, beating Hesmer, but his effort from outside the box landed just wide of the post.

The Crew had one last chance in stoppage time when Brad Evans got on the end of a Robbie Rogers cross. Evans, just a few feet from goal, sent his shot over the bar.

The win was the Revs sixth of the season and puts them even on points in first with Columbus, though the Crew have a game in hand.

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