all draws. FC Dallas had lost just once in their last seven games -- with six of those at home, as they set off on a two-game road swing.
The game's lone goal came in the 23rd minute, and came thanks in no small part to Clint Dempsey, back in the lineup for the first time since his return from the World Cup. Dempsey ran at a FC Dallas defense that was slow to close him down and his pass into the penalty area slipped between defenders and found the unmarked Twellman, who was only too pleased to tap home into an open goal for his fifth goal of the season.
FC Dallas had their chances -- including hitting the woodwork twice, from a Ronnie O'Brien free kick and a Drew Moor header -- but the Revolution held on for just their fourth victory on the campaign.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol made two changes to the team that played to a goalless draw with Real Salt Lake the Saturday before at Rice-Eccles Stadium, as both of his World Cup campaigners came back into the team. Avery John (Trinidad & Tobago) came into a back three in place of Tony Lochhead, while Clint Dempsey (USA) came in for Jani Galik.
Here's Nicol's team (3-4-2-1): Matt Reis - Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, Avery John - Andy Dorman, Jeff Larentowicz, Shalrie Joseph, Steve Ralston - Clint Dempsey, Jose Cancela (Kyle Brown 85) - Taylor Twellman (Tony Lochhead 97+). [Substitutes Not Used: Pat Haggerty, Willie Sims, T.J. Tomasso, Adam Williamson, Danny Wynn]
"I think we played some great stuff at times and made numerous chances," said Nicol. "The bane of our season so far has been that we haven't taken our chances. We could have lost a couple of late goals tonight but, really, that shouldn't have been a factor. We should have put (Dallas) out of the way, especially in the first half."
TEAM NEWS
Dempsey started the first five games before leaving for the World Cup, playing the entire match in the opening four before coming off in the 77th minute on May 6 against Los Angeles, his final game before joining the U.S. national team. He again played the full match in a forward role playing off Twellman, though he did suffer some cramping late in the game.
"I came out a little rusty, but I found my game," he said to The Boston Globe. "I got some good touches on the ball and got on the scoresheet. I was happy with that, but most important we got 3 points."
While Dempsey had figured for the Revolution, John made his first appearance for the club. With Trinidad & Tobago in the World Cup, he played just one match, sent off in the country's first-ever World Cup game against Sweden when they played to a scoreless draw.
"Obviously (Clint) brings a lot; he brings a lot of energy and that's something that we've been lacking lately. He and Avery (John) both brought a bit of class and a bit of energy that we needed. We were out there with the bottom of our roster the last couple of weeks and it's been tough on us. But we've been kind of gritting through it and doing what we need to do to kind of stay in the hunt."
In the first game after Dempsey left, the Revolution defeated Chivas USA 1-0. They then went on the seven-game winless run (with five draws), before snapping it in the first game back with Dempsey.
"I've only been here for two days, but I don't think we really skipped a beat," Dempsey said. "I thought we put in a good performance tonight, moved the ball well. Toward the end it was a little sketchy. We had to make a few changes, had to be more defensive. But, you know, we got three points and we haven't been doing that in awhile."
After a difficult two-game trip last week where the Revolution gutted out draws in Columbus (1-1) and Salt Lake (0-0), the game Wednesday started a second week where they will face two games.
"The schedule we have at the present time is crazy; players can't be expected to go for 90 minutes, especially with the injuries we have," Nicol said. We've had four games in 12 days, one of which was at altitude three days after playing in the heat in Columbus, and still have another three in the next 10."
Still, some of the injured bodies are close to coming back. James Riley is close to match fitness and Daniel Hernandez also hopes to make a return to playing action soon, having stepped up his rehabilitation from an ankle injury during the week with a return to the training field. The duo, as well as the likes of Joe Franchino and Khano Smith, could offer Nicol more options when it comes to selecting his team - especially now that he has Dempsey and John also available.
"Without them, I think we've got a solid lineup. Just the fact that we have them back - the fact that we have a choice, the fact of the quality they bring - really just gives everybody a lift. Obviously their position makes others take a step back as well. It's great to get those two players back, and we're hoping to get more back in the next two or three weeks, and then it really will be a tough place to come and play."
The game could also herald a return to form for the Revolution, which won two games on the trot in impressive fashion before the seven-game run.
"With this league, up until the last month you're desperate to get into the playoff picture. It's a long season and a lot of things can happen," Reis said. "It's just important for us to start playing better. We haven't been playing our best and I think, to a man, everybody in this locker room feels that we're a better team but we haven't shown it this year. No one's going to listen to you unless you put it out on the field."
NEW YORK RED BULLS
Richie Williams saw a familiar result in his first game in charge of the New York Red Bulls - a draw - as his team and the Columbus Crew played 90 minutes without a goal on Wednesday night at Giants Stadium. The Red Bulls remained in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with the result, now with 14 points from 13 matches, three behind the fourth-place tie between the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew and now 21 points out of first place.
LAST MATCH
Williams was making his debut as interim head coach for the Red Bulls after Mo Johnston was dismissed the day before. New York was coming off just their third loss on the season, while the Crew hadn't won in four games, drawing twice in four days at home the week before.
While the Red Bulls created more chances than they had in any game during the season, it was the Crew who came closest to breaking the deadlock, Joseph Ngwenya's skimming angled shot in the 64th minute beating Red Bulls 'keeper Tony Meola but hitting the base of the left-hand post.
In the end, the Red Bulls played to their MLS-leading eighth draw while the Columbus Crew drew for a third consecutive game. The league record for draws in a season is 13, set in 2004 by Columbus.
Williams made one change to the team that lost 2-0 to the Chicago Fire the previous Sunday at Toyota Park, Johnston's last match in charge. Amado Guevara returned to the starting lineup in the midfield, coming in for Mark Lisi.
Here's Williams' team (3-4-1-2): Tony Meola - Jeff Parke, Carlos Mendes, Steve Jolley - Chris Henderson (Mike Magee 71), Amado Guevara, Danny O'Rourke, Seth Stammler - Youri Djorkaeff - Jean Philippe Peguero, Edson Buddle (Marvell Wynne 85). [Substitutes Not Used: Blake Camp, Jordan Cila, Jon Conway, Taylor Graham, Joe Vide]
"It was definitely better than Sunday. I thought the effort was fairly good. I still think the effort could be better. I still think we need to find a way to get three points at home," Williams said. "I thought at the end of the first half, the last 10 minutes or so, we were pushing, we had some opportunities. And again at the end of the second half there, and in between we had some plays here and there getting at them, but we have to be more aggressive, be more forward."
TEAM NEWS
The Red Bulls dominated possession for large stretches, and had season single-game highs in shots at goal, corner kicks and fouls suffered. They also had a single-game low for the season in shots against.
"Sunday was very disappointing in all aspects of the game. [Tonight] was better. At times, it was good and Amado [Guevara] being in there helps out," Williams said. "[The team's play] was good, and we're going to continue to stress that, keeping the ball, especially now that it's getting hot out. Turning the ball over and playing defense the whole game is not the way you want to go through the game."
Williams also felt he could bring about a resurgence from Guevara, who helped in building and maintaining the attack. He played in a deeper role in the central three in midfield, with Youri Djorkaeff still playing in the role just behind the front two.
"I talked to Amado the other day and he agreed that he hadn't been playing well this year. He had some injuries and this and that. I thought he did OK. In certain areas I'd still like to see him contributing a bit more offensively in terms of shots and setting up guys. I think each game that Amado comes back from injury will be better."
Said Guevara: "I think we did well to play for Richie. We did not get the three points we wanted, but really I think we are making progress and I feel really well to play for him. Myself, I want to get more possession in the game. Richie is asking me to just be calm and recover the ball, and I am doing this to listen to him."
Williams said an important factor in how the attack gels will be the combination of Guevara and Djorkaeff in the middle. He said he thinks the two just need more time together - and that he thinks they offer a good combination.
"I thought he did OK," Williams said of Guevara, who has been hampered by a right hamstring strain. "In certain areas I'd like to see him contributing more offensively in terms of shots and setting up guys. But we had Youri behind the front two so Amado was kind of keeping possession, but I think each game Amado coming back from his injury will be better."
A difficult stretch on the road now looms, beginning with a trip to New England. The Red Bulls will have three consecutive games on the road, and nine of their next 13 in the next two months.
"For us, New England is a difficult place [to play] and they're a team that's starting to play well. They got Clint Dempsey back and that's going to help them. It's going to be a battle for us, but we were up there last year in the playoffs in a difficult conditions and we came out with a result and held our own." Said Williams: "Now we're going to go on a tough road stretch and we're going to try and win those games on the road. Is it difficult? Yes, but it's the way it is and we're going to go and work at it. I have the confidence in these guys that if they compete and play as well as they can, we can do that."
The Red Bulls were dealt two heavy blows to their attacking options just before heading to New England. Jean Philippe Peguero was suspended for two games and fined $1000 by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for violent conduct during the Columbus match. Youri Djorkaeff will also not be available, excused for personal reasons.
