Revs Easily Handle Richmond

Twellman Scores in Return to Club

July 2, 2008

By Sean Donahue

Fans had to wait nearly two hours for kickoff because of thunderstorms in the area, but the Revolution made it worth the wait with a 3-0 victory over the Richmond Kickers to advance to the US Open Cup Quarterfinals.

Fielding a lineup of mostly reserves, plus Taylor Twellman and Kenny Mansally up top, the Revs struggled to create chances in the first half, but came to life after the break tallying three goals in the second half keep alive their hopes of repeating as US Open Cup Champions.

Taylor Twellman scored in his return to the club Tuesday. (CHRIS ADUAMA.aduama.com).

Massachusetts native Sam Brill opened the scoring before Joe Germanese and Twellman scored in quick succession to ensure the Revs were victorious in front of just under 4,000 fans in New Britain, Connecticut.

The match started off pretty sloppy, with both sides struggling to adjust to the waterlogged pitch. It was Richmond who first managed to test the opposing keeper, but Doug Warren was ready. Making his first start of the season, the 27-year old goalie came up big in the 19th minute, saving a breakaway from Adrian Bumbut to keep the match scoreless.

Other than that chance, neither side managed to create any real opportunities in the first half.

Coming out of halftime, however, the Revs immediately pegged back Richmond into their own half. Just seconds into the half, Brill headed home a Chris Tierney corner kick to give the Revs a 1-0 lead.

Bumbut had a chance to tie it back up about nine minutes later, after being sent free of the Revolution defense on a nice through pass. Again Warren was there to deny him the equalizer.

Germanese made it 2-0 after Chase Hilgenbrinck sent him the ball with a long pass from the left flank. Germanese dribbled forward into the right side of the box before sending a low shot to the far post in the 63rd minute past goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale.

Twellman made it 3-0 in the 67th minute with just his second goal of the season on. Tierney got another good cross in and Twellman was there to head it home.

Twellman had a chance to make it 4-0 in the 72nd minute of another Tierney cross, but saw his shot blocked on the line by a defender. There were calls for a penalty on a possible hand ball, but the referee waved them off. The play would be Twellman's last of the match before being subbed out for 18-year-old Brandon Manzonelli.

The win means the Revolution will take on Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2), who defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-0 tonight, in the Open Cup Quarterfinals next Tuesday, also in New Britain.

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