Kheli Dube scored the game's lone goal in the 89th minute to record his second game-winner in as many matches, as the New England Revolution defeated the Columbus Crew, 1-0, on Saturday night at Columbus Crew Stadium.
With the win, New England (6-3-1, 19 pts.) extended its unbeaten run on the road to five games and pulled level on points with Columbus (6-2-1, 19 pts.) for the best record in Major League Soccer. The Revolution also became the first team to defeat the Crew in Columbus this season, as the club had earned four wins in four previous home matches, while the loss also snapped a six-game unbeaten run for the Crew.
The game's deciding moment occurred just before second-half stoppage time, as Steve Ralston was taken down in the box after a one-two with Shalrie Joseph to create a late penalty kick opportunity for the Revs. Joseph took the spot-kick and hit his shot to Will Hesmer's left, but the Crew goalkeeper got both hands behind the ball to save the attempt. However, Dube was first to the rebound and pounded a low shot under Hesmer to give New England the win.
Prior to Dube's late goal, each team had failed to capitalize on a number of scoring opportunities.
New England had the game's first serious chance in the 17th minute, as Dube was taken down at the edge of the box to set up a free kick from 20 yards out. However, Mauricio Castro's left-footed effort was deflected over the bar by Columbus defender Ezra Hendrickson, who had set up as part of the Crew's wall.
The hosts had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 26th minute when Frankie Hejduk found himself with space down the right wing and played a dangerous low cross to the near post. Crew forward Alejandro Moreno reached the ball first, but his shot was pushed wide by Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.
In the 38th minute, Columbus midfielder Eddie Gaven almost scored after a long individual run through the midfield, but his low shot from just outside the box skimmed wide of the post.
Just two minutes later, the Revs had another opportunity from a set piece, this time from 25 yards out. Once again, Columbus' wall did its job, as Jeff Larentowicz's drive was blocked.
New England made a change at halftime, bringing on Sainey Nyassi in place of Wells Thompson in an effort to use the young Gambian's speed on the right wing.
However, the Crew had the first quality chance of the second half, as a long sequence of passing resulted in Moreno receiving the ball seven yards out from goal in the 51st minute. A quick move by Moreno created space for a left-footed shot, but his effort was blocked by a sliding Chris Albright.
Nyassi did almost make the halftime substitution pay off for the Revs in the 69th minute, but his full volley strike from the right side of the box went just wide of the far post.
The back-and-forth play continued as Columbus had the next scoring opportunity in the 75th minute. Hejduk used a quick move to open up space down the right wing before playing a curling ball into the center of the box. Gaven got his head on the ball, snapping a quick shot towards the far post, but Reis was at full stretch to keep the effort out of the net and the Revs' defense scrambled to clear.
The home side continued to put pressure on the Revolution, and Moreno's 78th-minute shot from a tight angle hit the corner of the post and the crossbar.
However, New England grabbed the dramatic game-winner in the 89th minute and preserved the lead in the final moments to leave Columbus with all three points.
Reis made two saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season and the 46th of his career, while Hesmer stopped three shots in the losing effort.
The Revs will return home for their next match on Thursday, May 29, when they will host bitter rival and Eastern Conference foe D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium. The game will be televised nationally as part of ESPN2's MLS Primetime Thursday and will be available on ESPN2 HD. Radio listeners will be able to catch the action on the WEEI Radio Network.
NOTES
• The Revolution began the match with the same starting lineup that began the club's last game against the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday night (May 17), marking just the second time this season that the Revs have used the same starting eleven in back-to-back games ... the only other time that New England used the same starting lineup in consecutive games was against Colorado (April 12) and at New York (April 19).
• Kheli Dube's goal was the second of his career in his second career start ... Dube earned his first career start last week vs. San Jose (May 17) at Gillette Stadium and scored the game-winning goal in the sixth minute ... both of Dube's goals have been game-winners.
• With New England's game-winning goal in the 89th minute, seven of the last nine meetings between the Crew and the Revs have now been decided after the 85th minute.
• The win was the Revolution's first in Columbus since June 22, 2005 (a 3-1 victory).
• New England extended its unbeaten run on the road to five games, which represents the longest streak in the league this season ... the Revs also improved to 4-1-1 on the road, becoming the first team in the league to win four matches away from home.
• The loss was not only the first of the season at home for the Crew, dropping the club's record to 4-1-0 in Columbus, but Kheli Dube's goal in the 89th minute marked the first time this season that the Crew trailed at home at any point.
• The shutout was the second straight for the Revolution, marking the first time the Revs have recorded back-to-back regular-season shutouts since June 24, 2006 (0-0 draw at Real Salt Lake) and June 28, 2006 (1-0 win vs. FC Dallas).
• The loss snapped Columbus' six-game unbeaten streak, which consisted of five wins and a draw.
• With the win, the Revolution improved to 9-0-2 all-time on Fox Soccer Channel.
• Shalrie Joseph reached a milestone off the field on Saturday, as the defensive midfielder celebrated his 30th birthday.
