New England scored first in the sixth minute, but D.C. proved to be the better team with a 2-1 victory in Foxborough.
New England Revolution's Stephen McCarthy reacts as D.C. United players, background, celebrate a goal by Chris Pontius during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Foxborough, Mass., Saturday, April 14, 2012. D.C. United won 2-1.By MIKE SCANDURA
FOXBOROUGH – New England Revolution coach Jay Heaps had high expectations going into Saturday’s game against D.C. United.
Unfortunately for the Longmeadow native, those expectations weren’t met as United overcame an early one-goal deficit and rallied for a 2-1 victory.
“It was a bright start and that was about it until the second half,” Heaps said referring to Jose Moreno’s goal in the sixth minute. “It was unfortunate because we had a home opportunity and didn’t capitalize. We’ve been on the road so much this season that we felt we were going to come out flying.
“You have to give D.C. credit. They came in to win and that’s what they did.”
D.C.’s victory snapped a string of six consecutive triumphs by the Revolution (2-4-0) over the visitors who’d been blanked in three of their previous five games.
Although nobody connected with the Revolution was inclined to make excuses, there was little doubt the team missed midfielder Shalrie Joseph who was serving a one-game suspension because of an infraction in a loss at FC Dallas on April 5.
“He’s our captain.¤.¤. he’s our leader,” Kelyn Rowe said. “He’s the guy in the middle that we look for to play the ball through, to find options and to hold the ball for us.
“Playing without our captain and our guy who keeps it definitely is difficult. But we need players to step up. I thought we did. But that final ball wasn’t there for us today. You saw moments where the team looked really good. You saw moments where we didn’t look good. It’s a building experience for us.”
The final ball definitely was there for D.C.
Nick DeLeon led Chris Pontius into the box and Pontius hooked a shot past Matt Reis (four saves) inside the far right post in the 82nd minute.
“We knew Chris was going to go in as a forward or a midfielder,” Heaps said of the D.C. player who didn’t step on the turf until the second half. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough support on the play.
“I knew Pontius had the ability to go in. It was a clear-cut, one-on-one situation. Sometimes as a unit you’ve got to be better. It was a one-on-one and he slipped through. Moreno’s goal was a gem.”
Lee Nguyen led Saer Sene down the left side and Sene made a textbook cross to Moreno who beat Joe Willis (six saves) on a one-timer.
That lead lasted only for 13 minutes because D.C. tied it on another textbook play.
In this case, DeLeon’s corner kick found 2011 MLS MVP Dwayne DeRosario just inside the top of the box. DeRosario unleashed a bicycle kick that was headed in by Malcom Santos.
“We had some good chances to score,” Rowe said (one chance came in the 27th minute when Chris Tierney’s shot hit the left post). “But they put pressure on us very well. When we broke that pressure we found opportunities which left them vulnerable.
“We’ll get them the next time.”