Revenge for Revs in Opener

New England Downs Dynamo, 3-0

March 29, 2008

By Sean Donahue

FOXBORO, Mass. – The stage wasn’t the same, but the New England Revolution managed to extract some revenge against Houston in the season opener Saturday, defeating the Dynamo, 3-0, in a rematch of the past two MLS Cups.

Goals from Adam Cristman, Steve Ralston, and the 19-year-old Sainey Nyassi gave the Revs a deserved win for a dominating performance, despite wholesale lineup changes due to offseason departures, injuries and international absences.

"It was a great win," said Revs’ coach Steve Nicol. "We were definitely the better team in the first half. I think the second half you saw the difference in fitness. They have obviously been playing in the [CONCACAF] Champions Cup and playing those games that mean something. I think the second half showed we still have a wee bit to go as far as playing a competitive 90 minutes are concerned. But saying that, I think again you saw the attitude and the commitment of the players. The goal at the end was just the icing on the cake, it was a fantastic goal. It was a great result with a great performance."

Forward Adam Cristman started in place of Taylor Twellman and scored for the Revs. (Photo credit: Joyce Furia)

Nyassi, the man of the match according to Nicol, sealed the victory deep into stoppage time with a spectacular 50-yard run from midfield before blasting a shot into the back of the net. The Gambian youth international was all over the field making important defensive stops and creating dangerous chances up front for the team all night. The match marked Nyassi's first start for the Revolution and he became the youngest player ever to start on opening day for the Revs.

The Revs had four players making their first start with newcomers Chris Albright from the Los Angeles Galaxy, Mauricio Castro from Olimipia (Honduras), and second-year players Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally, both Gambian youth internationals, all part of the starting 11.

In some cases the moves were necessitated in part by the absences of Khano Smith (international duty for Bermuda), Joe Franchino (left hamstring strain), and Wells Thompson (right heel bone spur). All-Time leading scorer Taylor Twellman was a late scratch from the lineup with a knee injury and Adam Cristman got the start in his place.

Castro nearly marked his debut with a goal in just the second minute when Nyassi sent in a cross that found its way through the box to the Honduran international. Castro blasted a shot from close range, but 'keeper Pat Onstad was there to make the save.

Mansally and Cristman nearly combined for the first goal of the match in the 14th minute. Brian Mullan, playing out of position at right back for Houston, had a poor first touch that Mansally managed to get onto and bring into the box. With Cristman running towards the far post Mansally sent in a cross that lingered just inches in front of the sliding second year forward, who had an open net to look at.

Captain Steve Ralston put the Revs in front in the 15th minute when Nyassi played Mansally through into the box with a perfect pass. Mansally placed a hard shot towards the far post, where Onstad got a hand to it. The ball fell right to Ralston for an easy tap in.

De Rosario could have leveled the score in the 19th minute when Mullan and Stuart Holden combined down the right flank. Mullan sent a cross towards the 6-yard box where De Rosario was in the right place to get on the end of it, but sent his header high of the net.

Cristman made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute after a Ralston free kick was played to Jeff Larentowicz, who blasted a hard shot on frame. Onstad failed to hold onto the shot and Cristman was there to head it into the empty net.

Just before halftime Houston had a chance to get one back when they earned a dangerous free kick from just outside the box. With Reis cheating to his left, expecting a cross into the box, De Rosario sent in a blast to the near post, but saw his shot go just wide and into the side netting.

Reis came up huge in the 59th minute making a diving save on a perfectly placed header by Holden, who got on the end of a Mullan cross. On the ensuring corner Nyassi was forced to clear a shot off the line.

Ralston was injured just seconds later, falling awkwardly on his left shoulder. Ralston said after the match it was dislocated and that he was "hoping [to be back] in three weeks", but needed to see if there was any damage. Second-year defender Gary Flood entered the match in his place.

Rookie striker Kheli Dube became the third player to make his debut for the Revs, coming on in the 81st minute for Mansally. Attleboro, Massachusetts native and University of Rhode Island product Geoff Cameron also made his Dynamo debut in the 86th minute, entering for Brian Ching.

Entering stoppage time, Houston sent everyone they could forward and Wade Barrett made a long run from his left back position into the Revolution box to get off a shot at the near post. His powerful effort hit the post and bounced out for a goal kick.

Nyassi put the game out of reach in the 3rd minute of overtime. The 19-year-old Gambian received the ball at midfield and ran all the way into the right side of the box before hammering home a shot past Onstad to cap off a stunning first start for the Revolution.

The Revs next head off to Chicago where they face the Fire Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

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