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Maurico Castro scored the Revs' lone goal on Tuesday. (Photo credit: Joyce Furia) |
With strikers Kenny Mansally, Kheli Dube, and Adam Cristman all unavailable due to injury, the Revs played a similar formation to the one they used in Toronto, with Taylor Twellman as the lone striker and Steve Ralston pushed a bit further forward than usual. The offensive options became even poorer when Ralston was forced to leave the match with back spasms and the Revs subbed on Wells Thompson and push Castro into the center.
Joe Public, which was eliminated from past CONCACAF competitions in the US against MLS opponents in the late 90s by scores of 8-0 and 2-0 to D.C. United and the Chicago Fire, respectively, were easily the better of the two teams in the first half. They outshot the Revs 11-2. Joe Public created several good chances in the first half and were only thwarted by their own poor finishing.
The lone Revs chance in the first half came in the 35th minute after Twellman was fouled near the top of the box. Jeff Larentowicz took the free kick, blasting it towards the center of the goal, but goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa managed to push it over the bar.
Joe Public finally took advantage of one of their opportunities in the 51st minute. Kerry Baptiste ran down the right flank before sending a low cross in through the box. Gregory Richardson outpaced Jeff Larentowicz to the ball and blasted it past 'keeper Doug Warren from about six yards out.
More bad news for the Revs came in the 65th minute. Sainey Nyassi became the second Rev of the night to leave the match injured and was replaced by Amaechi Igwe. Nyassi had gone down injured after a challenge a few minutes earlier, but re-entered the match before being substituted out.
Things got worse for the Revs in the 70th minute, when substitute Jamal Gay doubled the host's lead. Gay, who had just entered the match a minute before, got on the end from a similar service from Baptiste and made no mistake, blasting it past Warren to make it 2-0.
The Revs got what may prove to be a crucial away goal in the 76th minute. After a nice build-up from the Revs, Shalrie Joseph was taken down inside the box on a late challenge from Carlyle Mitchell. Referee Courtney Campbell immediately pointed to the spot and issued a yellow card to Mitchell. Castro stepped up to take the penalty kick and slotted it into the lower corner, sending Figueroa the wrong way.
The 2-1 loss means any shutout win or two goal victory in the home leg next Tuesday will be enough for the Revs to advance to the group stage of the Champions League.
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