Just when it seemed the New England Revolution had survived their fatigue and played through another 90 scoreless minutes with LD Alajuelense, Carlos Hernández arrived on the scene.
The striker focused on the Revolution goal, lit out with his right boot and finished off the game, his powerful free kick flashing past the outstretched arms of New England goalkeeper Matt Reis to give LD Alajuelense a goal just seconds before the final whistle for a 1-0 victory in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinal.
The goal was enough to send the Costa Rican through to the semifinals 1-0 on aggregate and raise the morale of a club that, as had happened on few occasions before, played before a nearly empty stadium because of their poor performance thus far in the domestic campaign.
The Revolution surprised the home side from the start with their pressure, closing down space quickly and applying force in battling for the ball. But La Liga began to find the pulse of the game and see their individual skills take control of the game.
In the space of three minutes, Alajuelense had three clear chances at goal - the best coming when Rolando Fonseca went in alone on Reis. Fonseca broke the offside trap, angled his run toward goal and decided on a powerful drive that sailed well over the crossbar.
The Costa Rican drive didn't stop the Revolution, who continued to apply their plan of attacking down the flanks, crossing the ball into the area and attacking through the air. They were also strong on the ball and organized in each third of the field.
Steve Ralston asked a question of LDA goalkeeper Wardy Alfaro with his blast from outside the area in the 16th minute, and shortly thereafter Carlos Castro nearly scored an own goal with a difficult back pass.
Revolution marksman Taylor Twellman wasted a golden opportunity in the 27th minute when Alfaro was caught outside the goal, but his shot was turned off target by defender Harold Wallace in the goalmouth.
The game picked up in intensity as the half wore on, with both goals seeing action. Hernández continually challenged the Revolution goal, gunning blasts from long distance.
After a first half where the home side had perhaps more of the play, but were imprecise in their attacking, the anxiety to take the lead in the series began to take hold after the restart. But their attempts to control caused them to commit many fouls that slowed the contest.
The Revolution stayed very organized as the game fell into a midfield duel. Alajuelense were allowed little space to trouble the visitors, and they were regularly caught offside. The wall constructed by the MLS side was a difficult one to overcome, and LDA had to try and play on the ground because in the air they had no chance to win.
In the 71th minute Hernández brought a cry of goal from the home fans, but it wasn't to be as his cross shot kissed the Reis's right-hand post.
As regular time wound down for its final minutes, the home side grew more desperate while the Revolution were cool in withstanding the pressure with the counter attack well established in their toolbox for survival.
Just when the agony reached the breaking point, Hernández stepped up and placed the ball on the turf, took aim and buried the ball into the back of the net. It was a goal that revived the season for the home team, while ending the gallant fight of their North American visitors.
Kenneth Hernández Cerdas is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its teams.
