The Revs Blow A Three Goal Halftime Lead In 4-4 Draw with The Union

The Revolution (4-11-12, 24 points), were in action Wednesday night on the road and played the Philadelphia Union (8-7-11, 35 points), in a wild game which ultimately saw them blow a late lead once again. The Revs were up 4-1 going into halftime, and they saw their lead ultimately vanish in the 92nd minute with a goal by Sebastien Le Toux. The Revs blow a three goal halftime lead in their 4-4 draw with the Philadelphia Union.

This is the third game in a row that the Revs have given up a late goal which led to a draw instead of a win. The actual result will completely overshadow an excellent first half for the Revs where at times they played excellent soccer.

In the 9th minute, the Revs had a free kick which was taken by Chris Tierney. His cross was headed into the net nicely by A J Soares. The Revs were up early 1-0.

The Revs increased their lead in the 21st minute, on a penalty kick which was taken, and scored by Rajko Lekic. Right before the goal, Lekic was fouled inside of the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Shockingly the Revs were up 2-0.

Feeling very confident, the Revs continued to push, and looked very fluid in their passing. It seemed Coach Nicol had finally found a starting line-up that could really carry the play.

In the 25th minute, the Revs would strike once again. Chris Tierney would cross a ball from the left side into the box, and newcomer Monsef Zerka would head it into the net. The Revs then had a commanding 3-0 lead.

However, it wouldn't take long for the Union to strike back. In the 28th minute, Roger Torres took a great shot at the top of the box that got by Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis to make it a 3-1 game.

Surprisingly, the Revs did not sit back on their lead. In fact, they increased the pressure, and it paid off in the 33rd minute. Lekic set up Benny Feilhaber in a dangerous area, and he shot the ball into the back of the net. The Revs again had a 3 goal lead with the score rising to 4-1.

The half would end with the Revs up 4-1, and they should have felt confident going into the second half. However, the Revs have recently given up second half leads.

Well, as great as the Revs played in the first half, they matched it with possibly their worst second half all season.

The Union comeback began in the 54th minute, when Danny Mwanga set up a nice goal by Freddy Adu. The Union then cut the lead to 4-2, with plenty of time left in the match.

The Revs were under constant attack the rest of the match, and seem to be in survival mode. The match would go up another notch in the 80th minute, as Sebastien Le Toux scored on a penalty kick, after being fouled in the box by Pat Phelan. With less than 10 minutes left and stoppage time, The Revs were holding on to a 4-3 lead.

Late in the match Pat Phelan took a bad hit to the head, and was taken off the field. He was not let back into the match. The Revs would have to play the remaining of the game down a man as they had used all of their subsititutions.

Sebastien Le Toux would ultimately equalize the match in the 92nd minute. Carlos Valdes sent a ball into the box which Le Toux was able to shoot into the back of the net. The Union came all the way back, and the match ended 5 minutes later in a 4-4 draw.

In over forty years of watching sports, I have never seen a collapse so dramatic like the second half implosion by the Revs. It is too bad, because as stated earlier, Coach Nicol now has a starting XI that could be the glimmer of hope that Revs fans are looking for.

The Revolution will next be in action Saturday September 10th, to face FC Dallas at Gillette Stadium. The match begins at 7:30 PM EST.

New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Darrius Barnes, A.J. Soares, Ryan Cochrane (Franco Coria 74), Kevin Alston, Chris Tierney, Shalrie Joseph, Benny Feilhaber, Monsef Zerka (Ryan Guy 64), Rajko Lekic (Pat Phelan 58), Milton Caraglio