Atlante captain Javier Munoz Mustafa scored in the 38th minute as the reigning Mexican champions defeated the New England Revolution, 1-0, on Thursday night in Playa del Carmen. In a physical match that saw nine cautions and three ejections, the single goal by Mustafa was all that decided the exhibition match between two of North America's top clubs.
The Revs had several early chances, but did not convert, and after two Revs and one Atlante player were sent off late in the second half, New England had one last chance in the final minute of regulation to earn the draw.
Revs forwards Taylor Twellman and Kenny Mansally went close in the game's first five minutes, but neither was able to convert. Mansally's header went high in the second minute, before Twellman sent his header high two minutes later. The two teams played much of the first half in the middle of the field, but late in the half, Atlante earned a free kick right outside the goal area. After a scramble in front of the next, Mustafa snuck the ball inside the far post to put the hosts ahead, 1-0, in the 38th minute.
In the second half, neither team was able to break through the other team's midfield as the physical play increased. A total of eight Revolution players earned cautions in the match, with two players - Jeff Larentowicz and Chris Albright - getting booked twice. An Albright foul that led to his second yellow of the night ignited tensions on both teams in the 81st minute, and after a mix-up near midfield, Larentowicz and an Atlante player were both red carded.
Instead of playing 10x9 for the remainder of the game, the coaches allowed an extra player on each side and finished the game 11v10 for the last nine minutes.
In the final minute of play, the Revs saw their final chance to tie the game stay wide. After Mansally drew a free kick 35 yards out, Gary Flood sent a high service into the area, which Shalrie Joseph flicked toward goal. His shot, however, clipped the left post and stayed out, and the referee blew the whistle to end the game.
The Revs close their seven-day trip in Cancun on Friday and return to Foxborough for two days of indoor training next week before departing for New Orleans, La., on Thursday, March 13.
New England Revolution vs. Atlante FC
March 6, 2008 - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Scoring Summary
ATL - Javier Munoz Mustafa (unassisted) 38
New England Revolution:
Matt Reis, Amaechi Igwe (Joe Franchino 70, Igwe 81), Michael Parkhurst, Jay Heaps, Chris Albright, Khano Smith (Sainey Nyassi 75), Jeff Larentowicz (Kyle Helton 81), Shalrie Joseph, Wells Thompson, Kenny Mansally, Taylor Twellman
Substitutes Not Used: Doug Warren, Brad Knighton, Sam Brill
Misconduct Summary:
NE - Shalrie Joseph (caution) 26
NE - Kenny Mansally (caution) 30
NE - Khano Smith (caution) 32
NE - Jeff Larentowicz (caution) 48
NE - Chris Albright (caution) 50
NE - Wells Thompson (caution) 56
NE - Jay Heaps (caution) 62
NE - Michael Parkhurst (caution) 67
NE - Jeff Larentowicz (second caution/ejection) 81
NE - Chris Albright (second caution/ejection) 81
ATL - (ejection) 81
ATL - (caution) 83
New England Revolution -- 2008 Preseason Results (3-1-0)
Saturday, Feb. 16 at Bermuda National Team (W, 6-1)
Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Bermuda National Team (W, 2-0)
Monday, March 3 at Pioneros de Cancun (MEX) (W, 4-1)
Thursday, March 6 at Atlante Futbol Club (MEX) (L, 0-1)
