Undermanned Revs Upset in U.S. Open Cup

USL-2 Side Harrisburg City Sends New England Crashing Out

By Sean Donahue

July 1, 2009

The New England Revolution fell 2-1 to the United Soccer League’s Division 2 Harrisburg City Islanders in overtime after injuries forced the team to play with nine men for nearly 40 minutes.

The Revs took a 1-0 lead into halftime and were seemingly in control of the match, but after using all three substitutions, the Revs suffered two injuries in the second half and were forced to play down two men. Harrisburg equalized in the 67th minute and then scored the winner 15 minutes into overtime, eliminating the Revs from the U.S. Open Cup.

Depleted by injuries, the Revolution came into the match with only four players available on the bench. The team also opted to rest goalkeeper Matt Reis, starting Brad Knighton and having Bobby Shuttleworth as back-up.

The Revs had a good chance in the 26th minute, when Stephane Assengue got free in the box. The Cameroonian striker saw his effort denied by goalkeeper Chase Harrison, before the rebound came to Kenny Mansally, who saw his shot blocked.

Jeff Larentowicz gave the Revs the lead in the 38th minute with a free kick from just outside of the box. Larentowicz’s powerful shot took a deflection, but beat Harrison to give the Revs a 1-0 lead.

With the Revs in control of the match, head coach Steve Nicol opted to use all three substitutions at halftime to give some players rest. Nicol brought in Pat Phelan, Gabriel Badilla, and Sainey Nyassi for Larentowicz, Mansally and Darius Barnes.

Nyassi had a chance in the 53rd minute when he rose up to get on the end of a Nico Colaluca cross. Nyassi’s header, however, was wide of the post.

Assengue had an opportunity to make it 2-0 in the 58th minute, chipping a shot over Harrison after getting the ball from Nyassi, but his effort was cleared off the line by a defender.

Kheli Dube was forced to leave the match in the 63rd minute with an injury.

Mo Odour tied the match in the 67th minute, heading home a cross from Jason Pelletier past goalkeeper Brad Knighton.

Assengue left later in the 81st minute with cramping, leaving the Revs down to nine men. The Revs still had a chance 12 minutes into extra time on a Chris Tierney corner that found Phelan. Phelan’s header went wide of the net.

The Revs fell behind in the 105th minute, when Knighton dropped a corner kick and Geoff Bloes was there to tap it into the net.

Colaluca was ejected in the 117th minute, picking up his second yellow card for a reckless challenge and leaving the Revs with just eight men.

The Revs return to MLS action for the first time since June 13 on Saturday when they travel to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy.