Revs Fall 4-1 To Kansas City Wizards

August 22, 2010

By Sean Donahue

After seeing their 8 game unbeaten run ended at the hands of the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, the New England Revolution (6-11-3, 21 points) suffered another crushing blow to their play-off hopes, falling 4-1 to the Kansas City Wizards (6-9-5, 23 points).

Revolution Head Coach Steve Nicol opted to switch from the 4-4-2 formation the Revs had used all season to a 3-5-2, dropping Emmanuel Osei from the defense, while giving Kenny Mansally the start up top with Ilija Stolica. Khano Smith also got the start at left midfield over Chris Tierney.

Kansas City opened the scoring in the 16th minute in controversial fashion. Birahim Diop was played behind the defense by Kei Kamara with Diop possibly offside. The call wasn�t given and Diop slotted the ball past Reis to give the Wizards the lead.

Diop made it 2-0 in the 27th minute after Kei Kamara created space in the right side of the box and got a cross off towards the far post. Diop rose above Alston and headed it into the back of the net to give the Wizards a 2-0 lead.

Kenny Mansally got one back for the Revs the 37th minute. Mansally played a give-and-go with Khano Smith and then got the ball back just inside the box. Mansally�s shot was deflected, leaving Jimmy Nielsen no chance.

Kamara put the game out of reach in the 65th minute. The Wizard�s again beat the Revs on a quick counter attack and Kamara got the ball on a cross from Diop before slotting it past Reis.

Jack Jewsbury made it 4-1 in the 69th minute. Smith was the catalyst, chasing down a bad back pass from Emmanuel Osei. Reis could only slide out to redirect the ball away, but it fell to Jewsbury, who easily scored on the open net.

Matt Reis came up huge for the Revs in the 3rd minute when Ryan Smith outpaced Pat Phelan to get behind the defense on a quick counter attack. Smith dribbled in on goal and opted to shoot, but his effort was denied by Reis, who was quick off his line to cut down the British forward�s angle.

Smith was the architect of Kansas City�s next big chance in the 8th minute, again getting forward on a quick counter attack and this time playing Birahim Diop behind the defense. Diop ran in on goal, but sent his effort well high of the net.

The Revs had a great chance to equalize in the 56th minute when Marko Perovic found Shalrie Joseph in the box on a long free kick. Joseph headed the ball back to Cory Gibbs near the penalty spot. The former U.S. International defender had space, but sent his effort well high of the net.

Gibbs blew another great chance in the 67th minute. After the Wizards failed to clear a Revs� corner, Stolica got the ball to a wide open Gibbs just a few yards from goal. Gibbs was wide open, but his effort went well high of the net.

The Revs return home to face the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

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