FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Shalrie Joseph marked his return to Gillette Stadium by spurring a three-goal comeback to lift Chivas USA to a 3-3 draw with New England on Wednesday night.
Saër Sène scored twice either side of a Rauwshan McKenzie own goal to stake the Revs to a seemingly comfortable three-goal lead inside the first 21 minutes. Joseph tallied twice before halftime to cut deeply into that advantage before Miller Bolaños completed the recovery two minutes after the interval by bundling home Casey Townsend's knockdown at the far post.
New England appeared to place the outcome of the match beyond doubt by taking advantage of Chivas USA's defensive instability to score three times inside the first 21 minutes.
OPTA Chalkboard: Revs go Route 1, Chivas has answers
Sène scored the first of his two goals of the evening from a direct piece of play after just four minutes. Revolution defender Chris Tierney thumped a long diagonal from back to front to place the Red-and-White back four under immediate duress. The pressure proved too great to bear as Sène lashed home inside the far post after McKenzie failed to clear.
McKenzie doubled the Revolution lead in unfortunate fashion seven minutes later. Kelyn Rowe reached the byline and slotted his cross into a dangerous area toward Jerry Bengtson. McKenzie diverted the ball on the way through and watched as it found its way past the helpless Dan Kennedy.
HIGHLIGHTS: NE vs CHV
The deficit increased ten minutes later as Sène nabbed his second goal of the game and his 11th of the campaign. He picked Joseph’s pocket on the edge of the penalty and uncorked a swerving shot past Kennedy to make it 3-0.
Instead of folding up shop, Chivas USA responded quickly and ultimately pegged the Revs back early in the second half.
Joseph started the comeback two minutes after the third goal from a set piece. Nick LaBrocca provided an inviting service from a corner kick and Joseph rose highest to nod home his second goal of the season.
The former Revolution captain sliced the deficit further in first half stoppage time with a stunning finish from 24 yards. Joseph collected a neat little pass from curled his effort inside the far post to send it to the half at 3-2.
Bolaños completed the comeback two minutes after play resumed as the Revs were caught out by a throw-in for a third consecutive match. Agudelo latched onto James Riley's throw and served a ball toward the far post. Townsend nodded the cross down at the far post for Bolaños to thump home his third goal of the season, making it 3-3.
Both sides went close to claiming all three points in the following period without finding a way through. Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis kept his side in the game with a fine double save after 62 minutes, while Rowe hit the crossbar three minutes later with a header. Kennedy did well to block substitute Benny Feilhaber's effort in the 67th minute to ensure the teams settled the match with an improbable share of the points.
The tie extended Chivas USA's (7-10-7, 28 points) winless streak to four games. They’re back in action Sunday at San Jose.
New England's (6-14-6, 24 points) winless drought stretched to nine matches. They’ll host Philadelphia Saturday.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/saer-sene"><span style="font-size:12px;">Saer Sene</span></a> |
Finally got back in the box on the first, and deserved the goal. The second was simply from knocking at the door often enough. |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/juan-agudelo"><span style="font-size:12px;">Juan Agudelo</span></a> |
When he was involved Chivas' attack was humming. Showed great patience and vision throughout, and worked hard tracking back, too. |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/shalrie-joseph"><span style="font-size:12px;">Shalrie Joseph</span></a> |
The second goal will go on his all-time highlight reel, but the giveaway for Sene's second is inexcusable. More good than bad, though. |
