New England Revolution Advance to the MLS Cup

Leave it to the local boys to get the job done.

Manchester, N.H.’s Charlie Davies bagged a brace, Wellesley’s Chris Tierney picked up two assists, and Braintree’s Scott Caldwell also picked up an assist as the New England Revolution advanced past the New York Red Bulls to the MLS Cup with a 2-2 draw in the second leg of the MLS Eastern Conference Championship. The Revolution won the series 4-3 on aggregate goals.

The Red Bulls were able to take a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute when a ball from Thierry Henry landed near the goal for Tim Cahill as he beat Bobby Shuttleworth for the opening goal.

Davies made the most of a cross in the 41st minute, tying the game in the final minutes of the half. Tierney’s corner to Lee Nguyen went straight back to Tierney, who threw the cross into the box for Davies.

Peguy Luyindula tied the series on aggregate 3-3 after taking advantage of a reflection of a New England player from the left inside the penalty area, but it would be as close as New York would get to advancing.

In the 70th minute, a Nguyen blocked shot would find its way to Caldwell, starting the motions for the wining goal. Caldwell’s pass to Tierney left of the box led to another cross for Davies whose header that would send New England to their fifth MLS Cup in franchise history and their first since 2007.

New England will play the winner of the LA Galaxy/Seattle Sounders series on Dec. 7.