The Kansas City Wizards were unable to score for a third consecutive game in all competitions, but it wasn't for lack of chances. New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis made a career-high 11 saves in a scoreless draw at Gillette Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Claudio Lopez had a half chance from the top of the 18-yard box, but his attempt was put right into Reis' chest in the 54th minute.
Ten minutes later, the Wizards had a pair of opportunities, both by Jack Jewsbury, but Reis twice denied him. On the first, Jewsbury latched on to a Herculez Gomez cross from the right, but Reis lunged to his left to save the header.
Seconds later, Jewsbury was played in behind the Revs defense and alone on Reis, but again the New England goalkeeper parried the ball away for a corner kick.
New England had two chances three minutes apart midway through the second half, but second-half substitute Nico Colaluca put an attempt from 22 yards out well over the net and in the 72nd minute, Jeff Larentowicz fired well off the mark on a free kick from 28 yards out.
Three minutes later, Kenny Mansally found Edgaras Jankauskas to the left of Kevin Hartman, but the Lithuanian misfired and sent the ball back across the goal. Colaluca corralled the ball, but put it off the outside netting.
A cheeky chip by Josh Wolff was parried over the bar by Reis in the 79th minute and on the ensuing corner kick, a header by Gomez was again saved by Reis before the ball was cleared from danger.
One minute later, the Wizards were down a man when referee Baldomero Toledo sent off Lance Watson with a straight red card for a sliding tackle on Colaluca.
Onalfo was forced to make a tactical change and brought on Kurt Morsink for defensive cover, taking out Lopez in the 83rd minute. Three minutes later, Abe Thompson came on for Wolff for his third and final substitution.
It was the third meeting between the two Eastern Conference rivals in 29 days. The Wizards won 3-1 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on June 13 and the two sides played to a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium in a SuperLiga match on June 24.
Onalfo went with the same starting XI as he did when the Wizards lost to Houston Dynamo 1-0 on July 4.
Hartman was pressed into action almost immediately as Mansally found himself open after Kheli Dube flicked a Sainey Nyassi cross to the far post. Mansally took a low, hard shot from eight yards out, but Hartman kicked away the attempt.
Harrington was freed on goal after a give-and-go and attempted to round Reis, but the Revs goalkeeper did well to cut off the angle and make a solid save in the 21st minute.
Seven minutes later, Lopez nearly capitalized on a New England defensive gaffe, stealing Emmanuel Osei's lazy back pass. But the Argentinean couldn't beat Reis with a left-footed attempt, putting it off Reis' shoulder.
The Revolution made one change at the half, as Jankauskas came on for Dube. Onalfo's first substitution came 12 minutes into the second half with Michael Kraus replacing Harrington, who was arguably the Wizards' most effective attacking player.
In the 59th minute, Colaluca came on for Michael Videira, who suffered cramping in his right hamstring injury, for Nicol's second change.
The Wizards do not play another MLS match until July 25 when they host David Beckham and the LA Galaxy. The Revs return to SuperLiga action Wednesday against the Chicago Fire in a semifinal match, then play host to Chivas USA on July 19.
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com
