Revs Allow Late Equalizer in D.C.

Ben Olsen's Last-Minute Strike Negates Shalrie Joseph's Goal

By Sean Donahue

April 18, 2009

The New England Revolution tied D.C. United, 1-1, Friday night after giving up an equalizer in stoppage time to United�s Ben Olsen.

Shalrie Joseph scored his first goal of the season Friday night against D.C. United. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

The Revs had taken the lead in the 50th minute through Shalrie Joseph�s first goal of the season and looked to be headed to victory despite D.C. controlling the possession and having the better opportunities throughout the match.

But D.C. got a deserved point with a last-minute equalizer. The draw leaves the Revs undefeated at 2-0-2 and tied for first place with the Chicago Fire.

Joseph gave the Revs the lead in the 50th minute after Wells Thompson and Steve Ralston exchanged passes in the right corner. Ralston, making his first start of the season after returning to action in the Revs� last match, sent in a perfect cross that Joseph beat his defender to and headed past keeper Louis Crayton to give the Revs the lead.

Despite D.C.�s numerous chances throughout the match the Revs, backstopped again by Brad Knighton filling in for Matt Reis in goal, managed to hold off D.C. until the 91st minute, when Olsen managed to rise above the defense to head in a Jaime Moreno free kick.

D.C. had started the match well, with first half chances falling just short of a sliding Christian Gomez and a long range shot from Olsen just saved by Knighton.

The Revs� only real chance of the half came in the 30th minute, when a Jeff Larentowicz free kick took a deflection, but was still saved by Crayton.

United�s best chance of the first half came in the 35th minute, when a cross from Rodney Wallace took an unfortunate redirection off Amaechi Igwe. The ball also deflected off Moreno, before falling to Gomez, whose quick flick was well saved by Knighton.

After Joseph gave the Revs the lead, D.C. immediately responded with several chances off its own, but were let down by poor shooting. Some key clearances and saves also helped keep D.C. off the board, before Olsen�s eventual equalizer.

The Revs next head to Utah, where they face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, April 25 at 9 p.m.

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