Revolution Vs. Impact Final: Opportunity Lost As New England Falls To Montreal 2-1

The New England Revolution had a shot at a rare and precious road victory against the Montreal on Wednesday night, but squandered the opportunity as the expansion side prevailed 2-1 in the two clubs' first-ever meeting. Lee Nguyen scored a goal-of-the-year candidate to draw the match level in the first half, but it was goals from Patrice Bernier and Sanna Nyassi that gave favor to the winning side.

The first half started well for the Revolution, including a breakaway opportunity for Saer Sene that resulted in a blocked shot from Lee Nguyen. However, as the minutes passed, the chances came fewer and the home side began taking the initiative, forcing two early saves out of Matt Reis.

It was a defensive mistake from the Revs that caused the first goal. Chris Tierney brought down Sanna Nyassi in the box with an ill-advised tug on the shoulder, giving Patrice Bernier the chance from the spot. It took three tries as referee Fotis Bazakos called Bernier's first two attempts back, but the Impact fan-favorite managed to convert his third effort to put the home side ahead.

The half wore on with more scrappy play, and although the Revs had a few chances, they were never able to find the final pass or the shot they needed to get on the scoresheet. Sene again had a good chance on a breakaway in the 37th minute, but his left-footed effort was saved by Donovan Ricketts.

It took Lee Nguyen creating something out of nothing to put the Revs on the board. In the 44th minute, he received the ball in midfield from Kelyn Rowe and strode forward in space. Instead of attacking that space, he spied Ricketts off his line and launched an excellent dipping shot that beat Ricketts before coming off the post, then the keeper's back to nestle into the goal. It was originally scored an own goal, but MLS later overturned the decision, awarding the goal to Nguyen and an assist to Rowe.

The second half continued much as the first had gone, until Jay Heaps made the controversial decision to bring on Blake Brettschneider for Clyde Simms in an obvious attacking substitution. It was strange to see Brettschneider and not fit-again Jose Moreno, but either way the Revs appeared to lose some shape and discipline without Simms on the pitch, and then they paid for it.

Kevin Alston lost the ball and left too much space for Justin Mapp on the left, and the longtime MLS veteran lofted a far-post cross that Sanna Nyassi, twin brother to the Revs' Sainey Nyassi, ripped home off the volley to give Montreal the go-ahead goal.

New England managed some pressure near the end, but their finishing and passing in the final third let them down as Montreal rode out the victory.

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Impact Update: Sanna Nyassi's Volley Puts Montreal Ahead 2-1

The New England Revolution brought their match against the Montreal Impact level just before halftime, but the home side wouldn't let it lie, regaining the lead in the second half. Sanna Nyassi's emphatic volley put his team ahead 2-1 in the 68th minute.

The play began with a Felipe shot that Matt Reis saved. The rebound spilled out to the left, where Kevin Alston attempted to corral it. Instead, he only managed to lose the ball and pull himself out of position, allowing Justin Mapp free reign down the left flank. The wily MLS vet picked his head up and played an excellent far post cross to a waiting and unmarked Nyassi, who drilled a low volley just inside his near post to beat Reis and put his team ahead.

The goal came after Jay Heaps made an interesting decision to replace defensive midfielder Clyde Simms with striker Blake Brettschneider, apparently to try and conjure up a winner. Now the Revs will be looking for another equalizer.

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Impact Update: Lee Nguyen's Stunning Strike A Possible Own Goal, But Still Ties It 1-1

The New England Revolution may have gone down early in their Wednesday night match against the Montreal Impact in Canada, but they managed to tie it up to go into the halftime break with something positive to talk about. Lee Nguyen combined with an unwitting Donovan Ricketts to bring the scores level and give the Revs the momentum at the interval.

With the Revs driving down the field, Kelyn Rowe cut inside with the ball before playing it to Lee Nguyen, lined up centrally as a sort of second-forward behind Saer Sene. Nguyen strode forward in space and, spying Ricketts off his line, decided to try his luck from about 40 yards. This was no lofted chip; Nguyen drilled his shot and got enough top spin to dip it and put it on target. The ball beat Ricketts, but not the crossbar, until it bounded down and off Ricketts' back to nestle into the net.

It will probably be scored an own goal, but the goal was all Nguyen regardless.

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Impact Update: Controversial Penalty Puts Montreal Up 1-0

The New England Revolution have an opportunity in Montreal to take three road points against a struggling opponent, but their quest for victory has not gotten off to the best start. Patrice Bernier converted a controversial penalty call from referee Fotis Bazakos to put the home Montreal Impact up 1-0 in the 28th minute.

The play began when Sanna Nyassi played a quick ball to Marco Di Vaio, who bumpered it back to Nyassi in the box. The Gambian had gotten goal-side of Chris Tierney, and the left back was judged to have pulled him down when trying to get back in position.

Interestingly, Bernier took his penalty three times before it counted. Matt Reis' protestations caused Bazakos to wave off the first, while he was forced to then disallow the second attempt due to encroachment. It didn't matter to Bernier, though, as he buried each kick, including the one that counted.

For more Revolution news, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Impact Lineups: Ryan Guy Slots In As Heaps Tinkers With Starters

With Stephen McCarthy hurt, New England Revolution head coach Jay Heaps had some tweaking to do with his lineup to try and create a reliable defense out of a unit missing arguably its best player over the last month or two. His answer was to bring Darrius Barnes into the fold with a like-for-like move, but that wasn't the only interesting decision Heaps made on this trip to Canada.

Most obvious is the inclusion of Ryan Guy. Normally it could be assumed that Guy will be used at his natural wing position or even in defensive midfield where Heaps appears to value his work ethic, but then another look at the lineup reveals Saer Sene as the only striker in the starting lineup. It is entirely possible that Guy will return to the role he played so well against Los Angeles: the second striker.

Bobby Shuttleworth also sees his short run in the starting lineup end as Matt Reis regains his post between the sticks. Heaps had mentioned after Shuttleworth's first game that he wanted to give Reis a rest, but also made it seem clear that the benching was a message. It would appear that Reis is well-rested, and has gotten the message.

Kelyn Rowe also returns to the lineup after serving his suspension.

Lineups

Revolution: Reis; Chris Tierney, A.J. Soares, Barnes, Kevin Alston; Lee Nguyen, Benny Feilhaber, Clyde Simms, Rowe; Guy, Sene

Bench: Lechner, Cardenas, Shuttleworth, Nyassi, Brettschneider, Moreno, Fagundez

Montreal: Donovan Ricketts; Dennis Iapichino, Shavar Thomas, Hassoun Camara, Jeb Brovsky; Patrice Bernier, Felipe, Davy Arnaud, Justin Mapp; Sanna Nyassi, Marco Di Vaio

Bench: Valentin, Ouimette, Warner, Ubiparipovic, Sebrango, Neagle, Bush

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Impact: New England Travels North For First-Ever Meeting With Expansion Side Montreal

Saer Sene and the New England Revolution are traveling north of the border to take on expansion team Montreal Impact for the first time in history on Wednesday night. (TV/Radio: CSN/98.5)