Revs Drop Key Game at Chivas

New England Drops Out of Top-8 With Loss

Sept. 13, 2009

CARSON, Calif. -- Goalkeeper Matt Reis made eight saves to keep his side in the game, but it wasn�t enough to save the New England Revolution, which fell to a 2-0 loss to Chivas USA Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center.

Maicon Santos scored the game-winner for Chivas USA (11-9-3, 36 points) early in the first half, while Sacha Kljestan converted a late penalty kick to secure the result. With the loss, the Revolution (9-8-6, 33 points) - which was playing without the suspended Shalrie Joseph - was passed in the standings by Chivas USA and has dropped out of the postseason spot which it occupied entering this weekend�s action.

Chivas USA out-shot the Revolution 9-0 in the first half and created a host of scoring chances, turning one of those opportunities into the opening goal in the 10th minute. Defender Carey Talley played a long ball into space down the right wing for Justin Braun, who served a low ball across the face of goal into the path of Santos. The Brazilian forward made no mistake from close range, finishing past Reis from eight yards out for his first MLS goal.

The hosts continued to press and almost doubled their lead just two minutes later, but Kljestan�s looping header struck the right post.

Kljestan threatened again in the 24th minute, weaving through the Revs� backline before firing a rising drive from inside the box. Reis was up to the task, however, getting both hands behind the ball and pushing it to safety.

The second half began much like the first, with Chivas USA pressing for an insurance goal. The Goats almost had their second in the 52nd minute courtesy of Braun�s long-range shot, but Reis came up with another diving save to his left.

New England responded with an attack-minded substitution in the 56th minute, bringing on forward Kheli Dube for midfielder Pat Phelan. The move pushed Steve Ralston into the midfield, while Dube joined Edgaras Jankauskas up top.

The substitution seemed to provide the Revs with a spark, as they finally registered their first shot through Sainey Nyassi in the 66th minute.

Just four minutes later, the complexion of the game changed as each team had a player ejected. Following a brief confrontation in the box, both Jankauskas and Talley were shown straight red cards.

New England never really threatened to equalize and the result was put beyond doubt three minutes into stoppage time, when Kljestan converted a penalty kick after Eduardo Lillingston was adjudged to have been fouled in the box.

The Revs will be on the road once again next weekend, when they�ll visit the New York Red Bulls for the final time at Giants Stadium Friday, Sept. 18, in a match that will kick off at 7:30 p.m.

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