Revolution Vs. Timbers Final: New England Makes 1-0 Lead Stick, Gets First Win Of Season Over Portland

The New England Revolution picked up their first win of the 2012 season - and the first of head coach Jay Heaps' young managing career - over the Portland Timbers at Gillette Stadium tonight. Saer Sene scored his first MLS goal in the first minute of action to make the Revs' home opener a sweet occasion for players and fans alike.

"It took a little time for us to settle in," said Heaps after the match. "But I think as the game went on, there were some things against us and some things that hurt us, but we fought through it. I think that was the most important thing tonight - when the going got tough, we got tougher."

New England wasted no time breaking their duck for the season. After winning a quick throw-in, the ball was worked to the left side by Clyde Simms where Chris Tierney was open. The Wellesley native bent in a great cross, and Sene rose highest above all to nod the ball home over goalkeeper Troy Perkins. It took just 28 seconds, tied for the 8^th-fastest goal scored in MLS history.

"Saer's great at getting at the end of crosses," Tierney remarked. "So I figured, why not put one in and try to put it in a good area? Saer did great to get on the end of it."

Portland troubled the Revolution goal a few times afterward, but the normally-lethal Kris Boyd did not bring his best game to the Northeast, fluffing several headed chances when anyone would have bet the farm that he'd at least get it on target. New England, for their credit, also created more chances through the inspired midfield play of Kelyn Rowe, Lee Nguyen, and Ryan Guy, but were unable to convert. In the end, it was just the one goal that decided the contest.

Shalrie Joseph, playing in defense due to the Revs' injury woes in the back, surpassed his head coach as the Revolution's all-time leader in minutes played. The captain played a commanding game at center back, winning aerial challenges and dealing handily with the dual threat of Boyd and pacey forward Darlington Nagbe.

"It feels good to have that sort of longevity with this team and this league, and I look forward to playing a lot more minutes," he said of the milestone after the match.

Speaking of milestones, goalkeeper Matt Reis made his 1000^th career save in the 69^th minute when he gobbled up a shot from distance by Timbers substitute Franck Songo'o. Reis was instrumental in the Revs shutout effort tonight, making three saves and commanding his box well.

"I didn't know till they told me after the game," said the modest Reis. "It's nice. It just means that I've been playing for a long time and faced a lot of shots, but it's nice to have the longevity and keep making saves. I think the more I make saves, the more the team has a chance to win, like we did tonight."

The match was not without its battles, and both teams lost a man to injury. Timbers defender Hanyer Mosquera was stretchered off in the first half and eventually sent to a local hospital for facial injuries after colliding with Blake Brettschneider, and Kevin Alston suffered an apparently broken nose when Songo'o caught him in the face with his boot.

New England resumes MLS action next Saturday when they travel to Carson, California to take on the defending champion LA Galaxy.

Revolution Vs. Timbers Update: New England Carries 1-0 Advantage Into Half

The New England Revolution have managed to hold onto their early 1-0 lead against the Portland Timbers this afternoon in front of an exuberant home crowd at Gillette Stadium. Frenchman Saer Sene opened the scoring just 28 seconds into the match, getting his head onto a Chris Tierney cross and finishing well over Troy Perkins for the Revs' first goal of 2012. The goal also tied for the 8th-fastest scored in league history.

Due to an injury crisis in defense, the Revs have started captain Shalrie Joseph in central defense, and the Grenadian has acquitted himself well, winning headers and leading the back line. He even found time to wind the clocks back a bit and make an athletic play to prevent Kris Boyd from a certain goal in the latter stages of the first half.

Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe both had good chances to extend the home side's lead, but were unable to convert. Boyd himself has had several looks for the visitors, but his usually-lethal accuracy appears to have remained behind in Portland because he has botched some pretty easy chances.

Timbers defender Hanyer Mosquera had to leave the match in the 23rd minute after possibly breaking his nose in a collision with Blake Brettschneider. He was replaced by Andrew Jean-Baptiste.

Revolution Vs. Timbers Score Update: Saer Sene Puts New England Ahead In First Minute

The New England Revolution wasted little time breaking their scoring duck in their home opener today. Just after the opening kickoff, Clyde Simms worked the ball out to the left and to Chris Tierney. The overlapping fullback played an excellent cross to the middle of the penalty area, where Saer Sene rose highest and nodded the ball home over Portland Timbers keeper Troy Perkins.

That goal was Saer Sene's first of the season and his young MLS career, as well as the first goal the Revolution have scored in competitive play in 2012. It was also Tierney's first assist of the year.

New England opened the match in a 4-4-2 and have dealt with their injury crisis in the back line by slotting captain Shalrie Joseph in next to A.J. Soares at center-back. Blake Brettschneider has returned to the lineup at striker, partnering Sene. Tyler Polak is the only natural defender on the bench.

Lineups

Revolution: Matt Reis; Kevin Alston, Shalrie Joseph, A.J. Soares, Chris Tierney; Ryan Guy, Clyde Simms, Kelyn Rowe, Lee Nguyen; Blake Brettschneider, Saer Sene

Bench: Shuttleworth, Cardenas, Fagundez, Mansally, Polak, Purdie, White

Timbers: Troy Perkins; Lovel Palmer, Hanyer Mosquera, Eric Brunner, Rodney Wallace; Kalif Alhassan, Diego Chara, Jack Jewsbury, Eric Alexander; Darlington Nagbe, Kris Boyd

Bench: Bendik, Braun, Chabala, Dike, Jean-Baptiste, Perlaza, Songo'o

Revolution Vs. Timbers: New England Set To Welcome Portland In Home Opener

Shalrie Joseph and the New England Revolution will be hoping for some home cooking when they welcome the Portland Timbers to Gillette Stadium tonight at 4 PM EST for their MLS home opener. (TV/Radio: CSN/98.5)