Revs Eliminated from CONCACAF

Become First MLS Side to Fall to Caribbean Opponent

September 3, 2008

By Sean Donahue

The New England Revolution fell 4-0 to Joe Public F.C. on Tuesday completing a 6-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of their Trinidadian opponents.

The loss marks the first time an MLS team has been eliminated from CONCACAF competition by a Caribbean opponent and it is also the first time an MLS team has give up three or more goals to Caribbean opposition. Additionally, it was the team's worst loss at home this season through all competitions.

It was never going to be an easy night with forwards Taylor Twellman, Adam Cristman, Kenny Mansally, and Kheli Dube all unavailable. With captain Steve Ralston also available and Nicol opting to rest defenders Chris Albright and Michael Parkhurst while starting Amaechi Igwe out of position at center back, even the defense was bound to look shaky.

Matt Reis

Matt Reis was lit up for four goals Tuesday night. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

"We're done; we've got nothing in the tank," said Revs’ Steve Nicol. "It's as simple as that. We started a Champions League game with no forwards. That says it all."

After a 2-1 win back on its home island, Joe Public F.C. extended its aggregate lead to 3-1 in the 17th minute. Wolry Wolfe picked up the ball near midfield, intercepting a poor pass from Igwe, and immediately sent a through pass towards goal. Gregory Richardson got on the end of the pass and dribbled into the box. With Gabriel Badilla pressuring, Richardson managed to get a shot off that beat goalkeeper Matt Reis to give Joe Public a 1-0 lead in the game.

The Revs best chance of the half came in the 36th minute, when Jay Heaps sent a long throw in into the path of Shalrie Joseph in the box. Joseph dribbled forward towards the endline, but his shot rolled across the goal line, out of reach of the Revolution forward and out of bounds.

Wolfe threatened for Joe Public in the 41st minute with a long range blast from about 30 yards out. A well-positioned Reis could only tip it over the bar.

Richardson made it 2-0 just before half time, dribbling through the box to the endline and then cutting back around Badilla before shooting past Reis to the far post.

Roen Nelson put the game at of reach in the 49th minute when Richardson came down the left flank and sent a pass back to the top of the box. Nelson stepped up and sent a low shot in on frame. Reis dove and got a hand on the ball, but the shot still rolled into the back of the net for a 3-0 score.

Brandon Manzonelli had a chance in the 63rd minute, getting a wide open header off a cross from Chris Tierney. The 18-year-old directed his header on frame, but right at 'keeper Alejandro Figueroa.

The Revs went down to 10 men in the 76th minute when Khano Smith left the field and returned to the locker room due to cramping after the Revs had used up all three substitutes.

Richardson completed his hat trick in the 81st minute. After playing a give-and-go with Silas Spann, Richardson sent in a perfectly placed shot past Reis from the top of the box.

The Revs went down to nine men in the 90th minute when Jay Heaps received a second yellow and subsequent ejection for a bad tackle at the end of the game.

The Revs return to league play on Saturday when they travel to Columbus to face the first place Crew.

Return from Revs Eliminated from CONCACAF to New England Revolution

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