Revs Rally Late In 2-2 Draw With The Rapids

The Revolution were on the road Saturday night to play the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. It was a match where the altitude, and the silver jabulani ball became factors in the outcome. The Revs showed their determination, as they got a goal in the 90th minute from Shalrie Joseph to earn the club a point. The Revs rally late in a 2-2 draw with the Rapids.

Colorado started the game strong as they got a shot in the 2nd minute from Kosuke Kimura. He belted a strike that Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis deflected over the net.

However, the Revs would be the first team to change the scoreboard in this match. In the 25th minute, Kevin Alston's very long throw-in would reach the head of Stephen McCarthy in the box. He would flick it backwards towards Beny Feilhaber, who would head the ball past Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens to give the Revs a 1-0 lead.

The play in the first half was controlled by the Rapids having the edge in possession of 67% compared to 33% for the Revs. However, the Revs would end the half with a 1-0 lead.

New England would came out strong in the second half, and almost doubled their lead in the 51st minute. Josesph had a great bending shot from 25 yards away that just went wide of the goal. This was a golden opportunity for the Revs to increase their advantage.

The real fireworks in this game took place starting in the 64th minute. Sanna Nyassi was streaking towards the Revs goal, when Chris Tierney fouled him inside of the box. The Rapids were rewarded with a penalty kick, and Tierney was given a red card.

The next minute Caleb Folan would score on the penalty kick for the Rapids to level the match at 1-1. The Revs would also be down a man for the rest of the match.

In the 82nd minute, I would watch one of the strangest goals I have ever seen in a Revs match. Kimura would kick a ball from a far distance away that would bounce over Reis's head, and into the net. Shockingly the Rapids were suddenly up 2-1.

To their determination the Revs would press on looking for the equalizer. Also, to their credit, it didn't feel like the Revs were playing a man down as they were attacking late in this game.

Their hard work would pay off in the 90th minute. Kenny Mansally was pulled down inside of the Rapids box by Scott Palguta. The Revs would be rewarded with a penalty kick, and Joseph would slam it into the back of the net. The Revolution had leveled the match at 2-2. The game would end minutes later with the same score, and the Revs got a well deserved point.

In the last 2 matches on the road the Revolution have gotten 4 points. They have shown tremendous character in playing in these difficult games on the road. Let's hope they can build on this momentum in their next match.

The Revs will be on the road on Saturday July 30th, to face Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park. The match takes place at  8:30 EST.

New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Chris Tierney, A.J. Soares, Darrius Barnes, Kevin Alston, Stephen McCarthy (Sainey Nyassi 68), Shalrie Joseph , Pat Phelan, Benny Feilhaber, Rajko Lekic (Kenny Mansally 75), Zack Schilawski (Franco Coria 66)