CHESTER, Pa. – The proceedings at PPL Park on Saturday night shared at least one thing in common with New England's 1-0 victory at Chicago last weekend: one goal either way looked like more than enough.
The final accounting, however, varied significantly. Jerry Bengtson and Kelyn Rowe combined last weekend to muster the moment of inspiration required at Toyota Park. On this occasion, Jack McInerney produced the decisive sequence to hand the home side all three points.
“They made it,” Revolution coach Jay Heaps told MLSsoccer.com after the match. “We didn't. Unfortunately, we put a lot of hard work into going on the road and being solid, making sure we get to halftime 0-0 and having an opportunity to win games or at least get out of here with what we thought was a fair result.”
FULL MATCH STATISTICS AND BOX SCORE
McInerney ensured the Revs returned home with less than they felt their determined performance deserved after 76 minutes. He sidestepped his marker inside the penalty area to head Sebastien Le Toux's header toward goal from six yards. Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth parried the effort away, but McInerney swept home the rebound to put the home side in front.
On a night of thin margins, that one sequence – a dropped mark here, a kind rebound there – proved enough to determine the game.
“We had one play where we gave one of their really good goalscorers a little too much room,” Revolution defender A.J. Soares said. “He's going to finish it. McInerney has proven that he can finish the ball with his head really well. We gave him a little too much room and he punished us.”
OPTA CHALKBOARD: Revs can't convert their set pieces against Union
The late setback may have stripped the Revs of a point, but it did not erase the encouraging signs displayed over the first two matches of the seasons, according to Shuttleworth.
“I think there are definitely some positives to take from this game,” Shuttleworth said. “We created some good chances. On another night, maybe we're taking home three points or at least a point. It's the second game of the year. These are the kinds of losses we want to get out the way now so we can move forward, build on this, get points on the road and keep it going like we did in Chicago.”
