Joseph Nets Revs Tie

Clinch First Place in Group B of SuperLiga

July 21, 2008

By Sean Donahue

FULLERTON, Calif. – It was far from their best performance of the tournament, but the New England Revolution did enough to secure homefield advantage throughout SuperLiga by tying Chivas USA, 1-1, Sunday night.

Chivas USA had the majority of the chances and Ante Razov struck just before the hour mark to put the Revs hopes of advancing in doubt, but Shalrie Joseph proved the hero, equalizing off a corner kick to give the Revs the point they needed to win Group B.

The Revs earned a dangerous free kick opportunity in the 24th minute, when Jay Heaps was fouled about 35 yards out from goal. Steve Ralston took the free kick and sent inside the box, where Chris Albright attempted to direct a header on frame. The Revolution defender's header landed just wide of the near post.

Shalrie Joseph

Shalrie Joseph score to help the Revs earn a draw. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduam.com).

In the 31st minute, Matt Reis came up big when a deflected pass fell to Ante Razov, who was ahead of the defense. Though replays showed him to be offside, no call was made and Razov volleyed a bouncing shot on frame. Reis managed to tip it up and catch it to keep the match scoreless.

Jesse Marsch threatened in the 42nd minute with a curling shot from just outside the box, but Reis managed to keep it out with an acrobatic diving save.

Sainey Nyassi had the Revs best chance so far for the Revs just a minute into the second half, when Joseph found him on the right flank with a long diagonal ball from midfield. Nyassi chested it down in the box and unleashed a powerful shot on frame, but 'keeper Dan Kennedy had left his line and managed to block the shot.

Chivas had a great chance in the 52nd minute, when Razov beat Michael Parkhurst to a through ball from Sascha Kljestan. Razov's shot was blocked by Reis' foot, but fell right back to him. His attempt at a second shot hit off his knee and rolled out of play.

Four minutes later Kljestan set up Razov again. This time Razov was wide open near the penalty spot and attempted to one time Kljestan pass, but saw his shot land just wide of the near post.

Razov finally found the back of the net in the 59th minute off a through pass. Reis saved his initial shot, but the rebound fell back to him and this time Razov made no mistake, blasting it past the Revolution defenders scrambling to cover the line.

The Revs soon switched to a 3-5-2 formation, bringing on Khano Smith for Amaechi Igwe and started looking more dangerous going forward.

Joseph equalized for the Revs 79th minute, heading home a Steve Ralston corner kick for the defensive midfielder’s first goal in almost a year. The ball deflected off Kennedy, but could not be cleared by a Chivas defender on the line.

The Revs then switched to what looked like a 4-5-1 formation with Chris Tierney entering the match for Kenny Mansally. The defensive line-up managed to keep Chivas from anymore dangerous chances as the Revs advanced to the semifinals.

The Revs will take on Atlante on Wednesday, July 30th at Gillette Stadium for a spot in the SuperLiga final.

New England Revolution at Chivas USA

Scoring Summary:
CHV – Ante Razov (unassisted) 59th minute
NE – Shalrie Joseph (Steve Ralston) 78

New England Revolution: Matt Reis (GK), Amaechi Igwe (Khano Smith 69), Michael Parkhurst, Jay Heaps, Chris Albright, Steve Ralston ©, Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz, Sainey Nyassi (Wells Thompson 81), Kheli Dube, Kenny Mansally (Chris Tierney 86)

Chivas USA: Dan Kennedy (GK), Francisco Mendoza, Bobby Burling (Shavar Thomas 84), Claudio Suarez ©, Carey Talley, Jonathan Bornstein, Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Daniel Paladini (Lawson Vaughn 86), Atiba Harris (Jorge Flores 84), Ante Razov

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