The host New England Revolution were hoping to take some points off a visiting Philadelphia Union side that hadn't won in more than a month. But the Union scored an early goal, and then took full control early in the second half to steal all three points and end a four-game winless streak with Saturday's 3-0 victory over the Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Philadelphia's C.J. Sapong stunned the home crowd when he flicked on a centering pass from Fabinho into the far side of the Revolution goal to put the Union up in the second minute of the game, after Fabinho had slipped by two Revolution defenders down the left wing and sent a ball in from the end line.
For the Union, Alejandro Bedoya, who signed with the club Aug. 3, made his debut, playing 72 minutes in the midfield before being subbed off. Former Revolution forward Charlie Davies entered the game in the 83rd minute, assisting on Roland Alberg's goal in stoppage time.
Box Score
- 2’ – PHI – C.J. Sapong (Fabinho)
- 51’ – PHI – Chris Pontius
- 54' – PHI – Richie Marquez (Pontius)
- 90+3' – PHI – Roland Alberg (Charlie Davies)
- Full box score
- Stats
- Highlights
Three Things
- 1. ALWAYS PLAY TO THE WHISTLE: There they were on the replay: two New England players complaining to the referee that the ball had gone out of bounds and play should have stopped.
But the assistant referee didn't see it that way, and ruled that the entire ball hadn't crossed the entire line. And so the flag stayed down, the whistle didn't blow, and Philadelphia left back Fabinho was essentially free to run to the end line and take all the time he wanted to send a ball into C.J. Sapong, who flicked it into the net with the outside of his right foot, giving the Union the lead just 78 seconds into the match. Hey you Revs: Play to the whistle. - A PROPER GOODBYE: Charlie Davies has had his share of challenges, certainly, but he enjoyed his three years in New England and was shocked to learn he'd been traded at the deadline to Philadelphia. He said during the week he was glad to be going back to New England so soon because he felt he left so quickly he hadn't had a "proper goodbye." He got exactly that when the fans chanted his name as he stepped off the bench and prepared to enter the game. Classy move, Revs fans.
- IN THIS GAME, ONLY ONE STAT MATTERS: So the boxscore shows the Revolution had a slight edge in possession, a slight edge in shots, and had nine corners to Philadelphia's three. None of that meant anything, obviously. Andre Blake did make a couple of diving saves for the Union, but in this game, the stats don't tell the story.
Next Up
