The Revolution look set for the Eastern Conference final after crushing the Crew in an incredibly impressive performance.
The New England Revolution were the hottest team in MLS to end the regular season, and they looked the part in their first match of the playoffs. The Revs went to Ohio and put a 4-2 beatdown on the Columbus Crew in a match that wasn't as close as the score suggests.
With a 4-2 lead after the first leg of the two-legged tie, the Revolution have one foot in the Eastern Conference final. They have the two-goal advantage, but they also have four away goals and the next leg is back home at Gillette Stadium.
The Revs were on the front foot from the start and had Columbus pinned back deep in their own half. New England's pressing never allowed Columbus to find a rhythm and in the 34th minute, the Revs had something to show for their dominance.
Columbus tried to play a high line on a free kick from 35 yards, but Charlie Davies was able to sneak in behind it. Kelyn Rowe's service got through the defense and skipped to an onrushing Davies, whose diving header from six yards left Steve Clark no chance.
With the way the Revs were playing, the Crew were happy to get to halftime at 1-0, but it was only six minutes into the second half before the visitors had doubled the lead. Chris Tierney hit a gorgeous free kick that cleared the wall and curled right into the top corner for another goal that Claek was helpless on.
Once the Crew went 2-0 down, they began to find their footing. New England's press slowed down some and Columbus found some space on the flanks, which led to their goal. Justin Meram finished it to give the sparse Crew crowd some hope, but it didn't last long.
Six minutes after the Crew pulled to within a goal, Lee Nguyen put the match out of reach. He took a long ball from Jermaine Jones and ran at the Columbus defense, who seemed to be completely uninterested in closing him down. Once Nguyen got to 15 yards, he ripped a low shot just inside the post and the rout was back on again.
Just for fun, Davies notched his second goal of the match with a gorgeous shot from 20 yards that kissed the inside of the post and ended up in the back of the net. That iced the match and completed the Revolution's dominating performance. The Crew weren't even that bad, and they got a late goal from Federico Higuain, but the Revs were so, so much better and look set for the Eastern Conference final.
Columbus Crew: Clark; Jimenez, Parkhurst, Wahl, Francis; Finlay, Trapp, Tchani, Meram; Higuaín; Schoenfeld.
Goals: Meram 64', Higuain 90+4'.
New England Revolution: Shuttleworth; Tierney, Goncalves (c), Soares, Farrell; Caldwell, Jones; Rowe, Nguyen, Bunbury; Davies
Goals: Davies 34' 78', Tierney 51', Nguyen 70'.
3 things
1. The Revs' pressing destroyed the Crew - Ever since signing Jermaine Jones, the Revolution's pressing has been unreal. He has such incredible range that he causes havoc, but the rest of the team can press too and they had the Crew absolutely unhinged. Columbus never had time to take a touch and consider their options, disrupting their attack before it even got started. That is especially important because the Revolution's defense can be vulnerable, but it also took Federico Higuain out of the match and had them in complete control.
2. Columbus look done for - As hot as the Crew were down the stretch, they were facing a tall task against the Revolution, who were even hotter. If Columbus wanted any chance to get something done, they needed a result at home and instead, they got their doors blown off. Not only do they have a two-goal deficit to turn around in the second leg now, but the Revs have four away goals to boot. What was a tall task to begin with is now impossible.
3. New England may be the best team in MLS - The Sounders won the Supporters' Shield and the Galaxy were the best team since May, but the Revolution finished the season 8-1-1 in their last 10 matches and look even better than that. They may be a little vulnerable at the back, but their midfield is incredible both defensively and with the ball. Jermaine Jones may be the best midfielder in MLS, Lee Nguyen was the most productive midfielder in MLS and, as a group, the midfield is the best in MLS. Now they're getting goals from Charlie Davies and Chris Tierney too, and the Revs look to have an endless number of options. Good luck to anyone trying to beat these guys.
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1DHVmHV
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