By: Joe Lami
Fans at Buck Shaw Stadium are used to seeing late-minute heroics, but this time it comes from the visitors as the New England Revolution score a heart-breaking goal in the 93rd minute to defeat the Earthquakes 2-1. The loss drops the Quake’s record to 0-2-1 for a total of one point on the season, keeping them in the cellar of the Western Conference.
The Revolution dominated the game early, having seven shots through the first 30 minutes of the match. On many occasions Earthquakes keeper, Jon Busch had to keep his team in the game with many amazing diving saves. New England got their first goal of the season, however it came off an Earthquakes’ own goal as Victor Bernandez put the ball into his own net in the 35th minute. The defender was battling for a ball and tried to slide the ball away, but accidentally put it into his own net to give the Revolution the 1-0 lead.
The Earthquakes were unable to answer in the first half, however they did have a great chance when Steven Lenhart headed a free kick off of the foot of Cordell Cato in the 40th minute. The header just missed the far post on the left side.
Earthquakes Head Coach, Mark Watson was not pleased with the first half performance. “We didn’t play well. We didn’t have any energy. We were second best to everything.”
The Earthquakes came out of halftime playing a lot better, as they took it to the Revolution. One of their best chances was when Chris Wondolowski had a breakaway in the 64th minute. However, the star striker just hit the outside of the net on the left side.
It would take just minutes later for the Earthquakes to find the equalizer, as Wondolowski would redeem himself, tying the game in the 69th minute. Wondolowski was able to find the far left post from a near impossible angle as he swung at the ball with his right foot on the right side of the six-yard box.
A scary moment occurred in the 77th minute, when Steven Lenhart went down with an apparent left knee injury. Lenhart is known to have a serious past with knee injuries, which makes the possible injury even scarier. Watson commented on the injury “I think the issue is an MCL, but I don’t know how bad it is.” Wondolowski later added “We (Wondolowski and Lenhart) feel optimistic about the injury, but will find out more on Monday.”
The Earthquakes were really pushing for the win, however it was on a counter attack where the Revolution made the Quakes pay. Lee Nguyen would find his first goal of the year, and the first goal for New England when he put the right-footed shot into the bottom left corner past Busch for the win. “We were going all or nothing…it’s kind of the way we play…We had a point locked up tonight, and we went for three and ended up with nothing” commented Earthquakes’ Defender, Clarence Goodson.
The Earthquakes will get sometime to recover from the tough loss, as they don’t play until April 13 due to an international break. The Quakes will look to regain their home pitch advantage as they take on the Columbus Crew.
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