CARSON, Calif. - The game-winning goal conceded by the New England Revolution to Chivas USA on Saturday night was set up when Ante Razov threaded a pass through three defenders that Jesse Marsch smashed into the goal. The late, game-clinching goal came when Maykel Galindo took advantage of the Revolution as they pushed numbers forward looking for the equalizer.
Despite the defensive letdowns that resulted in the goals - and ultimately the 2-0 loss - it was what the Revolution failed to do with the ball that cost them the match.
"We didn't look after each other with the ball," said Revolution coach Steve Nicol. "We gave bad balls from the first minute to the last minute ... it's the fundamentals of the game, passing and controlling the ball, and we didn't pass it and we didn't control it so you end up getting what you got tonight."
Revolution defender Jay Heaps also saw poor passing and poor intensity as the keys to the match.
"There was a lack of energy tonight," he said. "Usually we're a high-energy team and we pass the ball well and tonight those two things didn't happen and when those things don't happen you have an off night. These types of games happen but the more they happen, the more you're going to lose so we'll need to remedy that pretty quick."
The Revolution were unable to generate any consistency with their passing throughout the match. Passes were long, off target, slow and otherwise atypical of what the Revolution have come to expect this season.
"It was below par for our standards," said midfielder Michael Parkhurst. "Passing is one thing we try to dominate a team on week in and week out and we didn't do that. Anytime we have a performance passing the ball like we did tonight it's disappointing because that's something we take pride in."
The Revolution lineup was in a state of flux entering the match against Chivas.
With Taylor Twellman away on national team duty and Shalrie Joseph out with injury, coupled with the return of Steve Ralston and Parkhurst, the instability of the starting lineup was one factor that affected the outcome. However, it wasn't the main one.
"It boils down to the fundamentals," said Nicol. "If you don't pass it or control it, you aren't getting anything."
The poor performance plagued the whole squad.
"I can't think of anybody who was anywhere near their best," said Nicol.
The match got very physical in the second half with referee Michael Kennedy handing out four yellow cards and one red card in the final 45 minutes of play.
The ejection came in the 81st minute when Chivas defender Claudio Suarez hit Adam Cristman in the face with an elbow as they challenged for a loose ball near the Revolution bench.
Nicol was mere feet away from the incident and had no doubt that the ejection was warranted.
"He elbowed him in the face ... (it was) absolutely intentional," he said.
With the call, Chivas will be forced to play without their central defender on Wednesday against FC Dallas before these two teams hook up again Sunday in New England.
Nicol, for one, hopes that a quick rematch will help erase the memories of Saturday's loss.
"I'd like to think that the players are going to be sitting down thinking 'we have a chance to get them back next week,'" he said. "I expect us to come in next week and be getting after them and making up for tonight's poor performance."
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
