Khano Smith scored two goals and added one assist to help lead the New England Revolution to a 4-1 victory over the host Pioneros de Cancun of Mexico's Segunda Division on Monday afternoon at Estadio 86. Taylor Twellman, playing his first preseason contest, added one goal and one assist, while Kenny Mansally notched his fifth goal of the preseason in the victory. With the win, New England improves to 3-0-0 in preseason action, halfway through its six-game exhibition slate.
Pioneros wasted little time in establishing a lead, striking just two minutes into the game. Sergio Nápoles Saucedo placed a hard, low shot under Revs starting goalkeeper Brad Knighton, putting the hosts ahead early.
The Revs responded with three goals before halftime with Smith striking in the 11th minute to level the score. Pioneros turned the ball over in the midfield and Shalrie Joseph took control of the loose ball. He turned and sent Smith in along the left wing, and the left-footer blasted in a shot from 12 yards out.
Smith struck again in the 27th minute, putting New England ahead for good. Chris Albright sent a looping cross in to Twellman in the area from the right wing. After a touch, Twellman turned and found Smith steaming in unmarked for the right-footed first-time effort and a one-goal lead.
Twellman and Smith connected again just before the half. After the Revs earned a free kick just off the upper left edge of the penalty area, Smith sent a service in, which fell behind Pioneros' defense and at the feet of an unmarked Twellman. The striker took one touch and placed the ball in for a 3-1 lead after 45 minutes.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol used generous substitutions to start the second half, switching five outfield players and the goalkeeper.
Neither team managed many chances in the second, but Mansally was able to get off an overhead kick in the 77th minute. Amaechi Igwe had a hard collision along the left touchline, but got up with the ball and sent a cross in to Mansally, back to goal in the middle of the area. His on-target shot, however, was saved by Pioneros' keeper.
Just before full time - in the 84th minute - Mansally struck for his fifth goal of the preseason, connecting with fellow Gambia Under-20 player Sainey Nyassi. Nyassi came down the right wing and cut in, but passed up the shot to find Mansally coming into the area for the first-time effort. His goal gave him five goals in three games.
Several Revolution players were unavailable because of injury or illness: Matt Reis (quadriceps), Steve Ralston (calf), Adam Cristman (toe injection), Spencer Wadsworth (ankle), Rob Valentino (knee).
The Revs return to preseason action on Thursday, March 6, when they travel to Playa del Carmen to face reigning Apertura champion Atlante at 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET). This is a change of both date and location for this game, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 5.
New England Revolution at Pioneros de Cancun
March 3, 2008 - Estadio 86 (Cancun, Mexico)
Scoring Summary
PDC - Sergio Nápoles Saucedo (unassisted) 2
NE - Khano Smith (Shalrie Joseph) 11
NE - Khano Smith (Taylor Twellman) 24
NE - Taylor Twellman (Khano Smith) 45
NE - Kenny Mansally (Sainey Nyassi) 84
New England Revolution: Brad Knighton (Doug Warren 46), Sebastian Enok, Michael Parkhurst, Jay Heaps (Sam Brill 62), Chris Albright (Gary Flood 46), Khano Smith, Shalrie Joseph © (Joe Franchino 46), Jeff Larentowicz (Kyle Helton 46), Wells Thompson (Amaechi Igwe 46), Taylor Twellman (Sainey Nyassi 46), Kenny Mansally
Substitutes Not Used: None
Misconduct Summary:
NE - Wells Thompson (caution) 9
NE - Khano Smith (caution) 22
NE - Jay Heaps (caution) 24
PDC - (caution) 33
NE - Sam Brill (caution) 63
NE - Joe Franchino (caution) 65
PDC - (caution) 76
NE - Gary Flood (caution) 83
