The New England Revolution dropped the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 in Bermuda on Thursday in one of two MLS preseason games on the day. In the other, the Colorado Rapids beat Tuzos Cuauhtitlan in Cuauhtitlan, Mexico, also by a 3-1 score.
After Revs 'keeper Matt Reis stifled an Alan Gordon breakaway in the early going at the National Stadium in Hamilton, Bermuda, the Revolution became the aggressors.
The pressure paid off in the 22nd minute. Andy Dorman drove a corner kick into the mixer, and James Riley headed home past Joe Cannon to give the Revs the lead.
Five minutes later, the Revolution were on target again, with Arsene Oka the goalscorer this time. Oka sped down the right side and fired a shot that eluded Cannon and found the upper right-hand corner of the net.
The Galaxy bounced back from the second goal with determination, providing some dangerous moments for the Revs rearguard late in the first half. Gordon whipped a header just wide in the 32nd minute after Chris Albright's pinpoint cross.
In the second half, the Galaxy continued their fight back into the match, and Albright was the man to pull a goal back, as he rose to head home a free kick from U.S. international teammate Landon Donovan in the 55th minute.
Try as they might, the Galaxy couldn't find an equalizer, and Kyle Veris inadvertently sealed his side's fate in the 81st minute, sending his clearance attempt into his own net to give the Revs a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish.
In Cuauhtitlan, the Colorado Rapids got a second win on their trip to Mexico, topping Tuzos 3-1 in a game that was divided into two 40-minute halves.
Herculez Gomez, acquired from the Galaxy in the deal that sent Cannon to California, struck twice, tallying once in the first minute of the game and again later in the first half. The Rapids took a 2-1 lead into the break.
In the second frame, Stephen Keel added an insurance strike for the Rocky Mountain side, finding the back of the net in the 78th minute.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
