E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. - For a team that had struggled defensively in the latter stages of the season, the New England Revolution faced a stern test on Saturday night at Giants Stadium against a potent New York Red Bulls attack in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
"They were really playing with three guys up front," Revolution defender Jay Heaps said.
Francis Doe partnered Juan Pablo Angel on the front line for the Red Bulls, leaving Red Bulls head coach Bruce Arena to push Jozy Altidore out to the left wing and allow the young striker to push forward.
Given the fact New England has conceded seven goals in its last three games, the attacking trio could have easily extended that streak and granted the Red Bulls a comfortable lead heading into the second leg in New England.
For the opening 15 minutes, it looked as if business would remain as usual. Angel flicked Doe over the top, but Matt Reis quickly came off the line to dive at his feet make the save. Altidore smashed over the bar after the ball fell to him inside the New England penalty area.
But something then clicked for the Revolution defense. New York couldn't get behind or through the New England defense, relegating the home side to significant possession and little cutting thrust as the teams eventually settled for a goalless draw.
"We made an adjustment," Heaps said.
The adjustment entailed making sure wingers Khano Smith and Wells Thompson pinched backwards to provide support for the three-man backline.
"Kenny [Khano Smith] and Wells [Thompson] did a great job just getting back and keeping things in front of them," Heaps said.
By pinching backwards, the wingers provided the support necessary to help nullify the attacking threats. The efforts were part of a comprehensive defensive performance that left New York struggling to create clear-cut chances.
"We needed to give them enough support in the back," Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph said.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol said Thompson did an especially good job of positioning himself to get back in front of Altidore for most of the night, blunting Altidore's effectiveness.
"They fizzled out a bit in the second half and didn't pose us with as much of a threat," Reis said.
Nicol said his side were "absolutely committed defensively," cutting out many of the mistakes plaguing the defensive shape in recent weeks.
"Tonight, we never gave them anything," Nicol said.
The result sets New England up with the scenario it desired: win at home and earn a berth in the Eastern Conference Championship.
"If we don't win at home, we don't deserve to go through," Heaps said.
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
