BOSTON – The New England Revolution counted off 17 years before finally getting a chance to play a competitive match within Boston city limits. This six-goal thriller at a sold-out Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium almost warranted the wait.
Kelyn Rowe scored twice and Dimitry Imbongo tucked home the eventual winner six minutes after halftime to spark the Revolution to a 4-2 victory over New York on Wednesday night on the campus of Harvard University. The triumph sent the Revs through to face D.C. United in a quarterfinal tie in Boyds, Md., on June 26.
The home side gave the standing-room crowd a chance to express their appreciation when Rowe opened the scoring after five minutes. The in-form midfielder collected a Gabe Latigue pass, eluded several Red Bulls and then lashed home inside the near post.
Fabián Espíndola pulled the Red Bulls level against the run of play on the half-hour mark. Espíndola picked off a poor back pass and rounded the onrushing Matt Reis. The former Real Salt Lake man then tucked into the empty net to complete the move.
Rowe restored the Revolution lead eight minutes before the interval with another rasping drive from outside the area before Imbongo appeared to secure a place in the final eight with his strike in the 51st minute.
New York improved significantly after the third goal and subsequently reduced the deficit when Jonny Steele nodded home an Eric Alexander cross just after the hour mark. The visitors pressed for the equalizer and switched to a 3-5-2 setup in the late stages, but the effort failed to yield the intended results.
Chris Tierney ultimately secured the Revs' place in the quarterfinals when he thumped home Ryan Guy's cross three minutes from time.
