FOXBORO, Mass.—The Revolution aren’t facing an easy task in qualifying for the playoffs, with Orlando City SC and D.C. United each better positioned in the race for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference.
But if they’re afforded opportunities as easy as the one New York City FC gifted Juan Agudelo in the 21st minute Saturday at Gillette Stadium, there just might be hope for postseason play in New England.
Agudelo found himself all alone about 10 yards from goal after NYCFC failed to cleanly clear a set piece. He calmly rifled a shot into the far upper 90, setting the tone for a desperately needed, and shockingly straightforward 3-1 victory against the club that entered the match sitting atop the conference standings.
“(It was a) complete game, absolutely, especially because I thought we could’ve had more,” said Revolution coach Jay Heaps. “I think that we really worked hard to create.”
The Revolution dominated throughout, outshooting NYCFC 24-10, including a 12-1 advantage in shots on target. The only nervous moments came when Frank Lampard chipped in a cross from RJ Allen in the 49th minute to slice the lead in half.
But any anxiety was abated when Diego Fagundez – who’d been robbed twice in one sequence by NYCFC keeper Josh Saunders in the first half – buried a shot from the top of the box nine minutes later to provide the final margin.
“I was hungry, but I knew one was coming. It was a matter of time,” Fagundez said. “It was perfect timing, to go up 3-1.”
It was fitting that Fagundez got a goal, as he, Agudelo and Lee Nguyen displayed exquisite chemistry on the attack. The trio combined for 15 shots – 10 on target – and all three of New England’s goals. On Nguyen’s goal, Fagundez spotted Nguyen out of the corner of his eyes and dummied Kelyn Rowe’s cross to allow his teammate to score.
“Those guys have always had an instinctual feel for each other,” Heaps said. “Quite frankly, Juan’s injury hurt that because I think Juan was really coming into his own, and now he’s showing some really good life … We talk about chemistry coming into play, and those guys certainly have it, and that’s important for us coming down the stretch.”
The Revs have now won back-to-back matches after a brutal six-match stretch in which they went 0-5-1. The result puts New England one point below the Eastern Conference red line – Orlando City SC sits sixth – and one point ahead of D.C. United. But both clubs have played two fewer matches than the Revs.
“I was excited that everyone performed tonight,” Heaps said. “That was the most important thing, that everyone had a good performance tonight.”
