The New England Revolution managed to avoid giving up the first goal Saturday night, but were still unable to keep their opponents off the board entirely and sit level with the Houston Dynamo at halftime in Saturday night's clash at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Saer Sene put the hosts in front with a well-placed penalty, but second-year player Will Bruin equalized from an indirect free kick just seven minutes later to tie it up.
The Revolution spent the first fifteen minutes or so exhibiting their usual slow start, struggling to put passes together or find the final ball for the goal. As time wore on, however, the passing became sharper and the chances started coming, including a near-miss by Shalrie Joseph in the 21st minute. Sene's cross found the captain at the far post, and though his downward header bounced off the turf, it was still corralled by Tally Hall.
A mistake in the box by Brad Davis in the 25th minute led to Sene's fifth goal of the season with a slick penalty shot that had Hall guessing the wrong way. Just seven minutes later, though, Davis sent in a free kick and, as has happened several times already this season, the Revs struggled to defend the set piece, allowing Bruin to get his head on the ball at the near post and score.
The Dynamo were absolutely in the ascendancy at the interval, dominating possession and fashioning some dangerous chances. The Revolution defense has been able to cope thus far, but they appear to be hanging by the string of their teeth. The Dynamo defense, meanwhile, has apparently figured out Saer Sene, in that he is heavily left footed. Furthermore, they continue to frustrate midfielder Benny Feilhaber, who is known to allow that frustration to negatively affect his play.
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