Revs Top Quakes in Season Opener

Kheli Dube's Second Half Goal Earns 3 Points in San Jose

By Sean Donahue

March 22, 2009

Despite missing five potential starters, the New England Revolution went into San Jose and managed to come away with three points to kick off the 2009 season with a 1-0 win over the Earthquakes.

Kheli Dube

Kheli Dube's 55th minute strike was enough to give New England a win in its season opener Saturday night. (Photo by Joyce Furia)

Injuries to Steve Ralston, Taylor Twellman, Gabriel Badilla, and Mauricio Castro - as well as Chris Albright’s suspension - forced the Revs to start the season with a makeshift lineup that included rookies Darrius Barnes and Kevin Alston in defense. San Jose created several dangerous chances throughout the match but were unable to finish, and second year forward Kheli Dube’s 55th minute goal proved the game-winner for the Revs.

Dube got on the end of a deflected Jeff Larentowicz pass about 15 yards from goal, and the Zimbabwean striker sent a low shot inside the near post to give the Revs the lead.

The Revs’ first chance of the match came on a 6th minute corner kick. Kenny Mansally sent in an out-swinging corner toward the penalty spot where Shalrie Joseph beat his defender to the ball. Joseph got a head to the ball, but sent his shot wide of the far post.

Arturo Alvarez created a chance for San Jose in the 25th minute when he got down the right flank and sent a bouncing cross through the box. The ball fell to Darren Huckerby at the far corner of the box, and Huckerby hammered a shot that rolled wide of the target.

The Earthquakes had another chance in the 29th minute, when a Huckerby corner fell right to Ryan Johnson at the near post. Johnson sent a powerful header that beat Revs keeper Matt Reis, but landed high of the net.

A minute later the Quakes had a great opportunity when Alvarez again got free outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot. Reis made the save, but the rebound fell to Cam Weaver. Weaver, with the entire net to shoot at, hammered a shot off the crossbar that was then cleared by the Revolution defense.

The Revs had their best opportunity of the half in the 42nd minute, when Sainey Nyassi was played down the right flank off a throw-in and hammered a cross into the box. San Jose keeper Joe Cannon dove out to punch the ball away, but it fell to Larentowicz, who got it on frame with a diving header. The shot was deflected and landed at the feet of Wells Thompson. The third year midfielder one-timed a low shot just wide of the near post.

After Dube gave the visitors the lead, San Jose had a big opportunity to tie it in the 63rd minute when a Huckerby shot was saved by Reis. The ball fell to a San Jose attacker just a few yards from goal, but his shot was blocked by a sliding Revolution defender.

Substitute Quincy Amarikwa should have tied it for the Earthquakes in the 71st minute. Shea Salinas ran down the right flank and sent a cross into the near post. The ball came right to Amarikwa just a few feet from goal, but his shot rolled wide of the far post.

Eighty-third minute substitute Pablo Campos had another golden opportunity for the Earthquakes three minutes after entering the game. Huckerby sent in a perfect cross to Campos, who was positioned right at the top of the six-yard box. The wide open Campos somehow sent his shot wide of the net.

San Jose pushed forward through the rest of the match, but despite winning several corner kicks were unable to really threaten Reis.

The Revs next head to New York to face the Red Bulls on Saturday at Giants Stadium.