The New England Revolution are desperate not to lose and extend their losing streak, and against the Columbus Crew on Saturday night Lee Nguyen did his part to try and keep that from happening. After a mistake from Julius James, the tricky winger buried a penalty in the 81st minute to draw the sides level at 3-3.
Substitute Diego Fagundez tried to turn James and then took the ball into the box. As he attempted to shield the ball from the center-back, Diego found himself dragged to the ground by James, and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Nguyen, brought on in the second half in place of Clyde Simms, stepped to the spot and coolly sent Crew substitute goalkeeper Lampson the wrong way as he buried the ball in the lower right corner.
James and the other Crew defenders protested the call, but the referee was unimpressed. The goal was slightly against the run of play as well, as the Revs had struggled to create chances in the second half.