ORLANDO, Fla. – Second-half goals from Chris Tierney and Pat Phelan lifted the New England Revolution to a 2-0 win over members of the United States Under-17 National Team program on Monday morning at the University of Central Florida Track and Soccer Complex.
Tierney opened the scoring with a picturesque free kick in the 68th minute, then turned provider five minutes later when his corner kick found Phelan for a glancing header to double the Revolution’s lead. Goalkeepers Matt Reis and Bobby Shuttleworth combined for the shutout, although neither netminder was forced to make a save.
With the win, the Revs improved to 2-0-0 in the 2011 preseason.
Just two players who started in Friday night’s 2-0 win over the University of Central Florida found themselves back in the starting lineup on Monday, as Reis and central defender Darrius Barnes were the only holdovers. After not seeing action on Friday, unsigned rookies Fernando Cabadas, Alan Koger and Steven Perry all started against the U.S. U17s.
Perry almost made an immediate impact just 30 seconds into the game when he ran on to Stephen McCarthy’s long header into the right side of the box, but the former Notre Dame forward’s attempted volley was skied over the bar.
The game settled following Perry’s early chance, with both teams enjoying spells of possession as the first half progressed. Neither side seriously threatened again until the 30th minute, when Cabadas directed a header into the path of Perry as he surged into the box. Perry touched the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Wade Hamilton, but a U.S. U17 defender recovered to clear the ball to safety.
Cabadas had a chance of his own 10 minutes later when he unleashed a drive after cutting inside from the left wing, but his shot was hit straight at Hamilton and the teams went into the halftime break scoreless.
The Revs began the second half with an entirely different lineup, switching out all 10 field players and replacing Reis with Shuttleworth.
New England’s Serbian connection linked up in the 53rd minute, but Ilija Stolica shot narrowly wide of the left post following Marko Perovic’s low cross. Perovic’s involvement in the game ended just 10 minutes later, however, as he left the field after experiencing tightness in his right adductor.
Tierney finally made the breakthrough for the Revolution in the 68th minute, burying a free kick from 25 yards out. Zack Schilawski set up the chance when he was taken down to the right of goal, and Tierney made no mistake with the ensuing set piece, expertly curling a left-footed shot over the wall and inside the right post.
The Revs turned up the pressure following the opening goal and wasted little time doubling their lead to 2-0 in the 73rd minute. A scramble in the box saw efforts from both Schilawski and Phelan cleared off the line, but Phelan made amends on the ensuing corner kick when he redirected Tierney’s near-post service into the upper corner with a glancing header.
Sainey Nyassi almost added a third in the 82nd minute, but his toe-poke effort from a tight angle hit side netting.
The Revs will wrap up their 11-day stay in Orlando with a preseason match against 2010 MLS Cup runner-up FC Dallas on Wednesday, Feb. 23. Kickoff from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is set for 11 a.m.
New England Revolution at U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team
February 21, 2011 – UCF Track and Soccer Complex (Orlando, Fla.)
Scoring Summary:
NE – Chris Tierney (unassisted) 68
NE – Pat Phelan (Chris Tierney) 73
New England Revolution: Matt Reis (Bobby Shuttleworth 46), Seth Sinovic (Didier Domi 46), Stephen McCarthy (A.J. Soares 46), Darrius Barnes (Ryan Cochrane 46), Roberto Linck (Zak Boggs 46), Fernando Cabadas (Marko Perovic 46, Sainey Nyassi 63), Kheli Dube (Pat Phelan 46), Andrew Sousa (Chris Tierney 46), Sainey Nyassi (Ryan Kinne 46), Alan Koger (Ilija Stolica 46), Steven Perry (Zack Schilawski 46)
Substitutes Not Used: Clint Irwin (GK), Tim Murray (GK), Kenny Mansally
STATS: Shots: 12; Shots on Goal: 5; Saves: 1; Corner Kicks: 8; Offside: 2; Fouls Committed: 3
U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team: Wade Hamilton (Jake McGuire 46), Reed Norton (Danny Zaid 46) , Alessandro Mion (Michael King 71), Michael King (A.J. Jeffries 46), Miguel Polley (Luis Martir 46), Patt Foss (Fernando Laverde 46), Colton Storm (Pat Foss 71), Marco Delgado (Antonio Murillo 46), Christian Duarte, Alex Muyl, Daniel Flores (Kevin De La Torre 46)
STATS: Shots: 0; Shots on Goal: 0; Saves: 1; Corner Kicks: 1; Offside: 0; Fouls Committed: 7
Misconduct Summary:
US U-17 – Alex Muyl (caution) 38
Referee: Christina E Ibanez
Referee’s Assistants: Eric Proctor, Agostino Minasola
Weather: Sunny and 78 degrees
