NEW ORLEANS - The New England Revolution closed its 2008 preseason schedule on Sunday afternoon, playing defending Honduran champion Marathon to a scoreless draw in front of almost 4,500 fans on at Tad Gormley Stadium. A pair of saved second-half penalty kicks highlighted the nil-nil scoreline as each team saw its attempt saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
The Revs split the game between a first team selection and a reserve selection, and kept Marathon off the scoreboard for the second straight game between the two clubs. On Friday, the Revs defeated Marathon, 4-0, in a 60-minute closed-door scrimmage at the same site.
The Revs had several chances early, with Adam Cristman going close three times - an eighth-minute long-range blast that hit the left post, a 17th-minute header high off a free kick and a 22nd-minute shot saved by Marathon goalkeeper Victor Cuello - but he was unable to find the back of the net. The Revolution also saw Khano Smith's fourth-minute cross sail just out of the reach of Chris Albright as he streaked into the area, and Jeff Larentowicz's free header off a restart go just high and wide of the far upper corner in the 25th minute.
Marathon's three best chances came in the seventh minute when Amaral Bostoselo tripped over Wells Thompson in the penalty area on his way to goal, and twice later in the half when Emidson Dasilva saw his 25th and 41st minute efforts saved by Revolution keeper Matt Reis.
In the second half, Revolution head coach Steve Nicol swapped out almost his entire side, substituting nine players. He left just Cristman and Gary Flood on, and brought on a mostly reserve squad. Included in the group was Mauricio "Pipo" Castro, who made his Revs debut after officially joining the team on Saturday evening. He played the entire second half on the left wing in the 4-4-2 alignment and stood over a handful of Revs free kicks in the half.
Kyle Helton had his 61st minute bid saved by Cuello, which sparked a brief Marathon flurry and the first penalty kick opportunity of the evening. Andy Furtado had a pair of chances negated before back-to-back Marathon corner kicks. On the second corner, a Revs clearance found the hand of guest player Brandon Tyler, and a penalty kick was whistled for the Honduran club. Dasilva stepped up and tried to bury his chance low and to his right, but second-half Revs keeper Doug Warren made the save to keep the score 0-0.
Minutes later, the Revs went up a man when Carlos Oliva was shown his second yellow card of the afternoon, allowing New England to play against Marathon's 10-man squad for the final 18 minutes.
New England had its best opportunity to score in the 75th minute when Sainey Nyassi's cross into the box was handled by Marathon captain Astor Hennrique. A penalty kick was awarded, and Cristman's attempt high in the upper left corner was pushed wide by Cuello, preserving the scoreless game.
The Revolution will open the 2008 MLS season on Saturday, March 29, when the club hosts the Houston Dynamo in a rematch of MLS Cup 2007 at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. and Fox Soccer Channel will televise the game live. For tickets or more information, visit www.revolutionsoccer.net or call 1-877-GET-REVS.
New England Revolution vs. Marathon
March 16, 2008 - New Orleans, La. (Tad Gormley Stadium)
Scoring Summary:
None
New England Revolution (1st Half): Matt Reis, Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, Chris Albright, Khano Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Gary Flood, Wells Thompson, Steve Ralston ©, Kenny Mansally, Adam Cristman
New England Revolution (2nd Half): Doug Warren ©, Amaechi Igwe, Sam Brill, Matthew Britner, Gary Flood, Mauricio Castro, Kyle Helton, Brandon Tyler, Sainey Nyassi, Kheli Dube, Adam Cristman
Substitutes Not Used:Brad Knighton (GK), Taylor Twellman, Shalrie Joseph, Rob Valentino
Misconduct Summary:
MAR - Nilberto Dasilva (caution) 34
MAR - Milton Palacio (caution) 57
MAR - Carlos Oliva (caution) 59
MAR - Carlos Oliva (second caution/ejection) 71
New England Revolution -Final 2008 Preseason Results (4-1-1)
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
Friday, March 14: vs. Marathon (HON) - W, 4-0
Sunday, March 16: vs. Marathon (HON) - T, 0-0
