COLUMBUS, Ohio – The New England Revolution (9-13-9; 36 pts.) fell to Columbus Crew SC (7-11-11; 32 pts.), 2-0, at MAPFRE Stadium on Sunday evening.
Goalkeeper Brad Knighton matched his single-game career high of seven saves, but Crew SC forward Ola Kamara helped Columbus secure all three points with a brace. Forward Kei Kamara, making his first appearance at MAPFRE Stadium since being traded from Columbus to New England on May 12, paced the Revs with three shots and three chances created. With the loss, the Revolution drop one point below the red line in the Eastern Conference with three games remaining in the regular season.
Full match statistics can be found HERE.
New England returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 1, when the club hosts Sporting Kansas City at Gillette Stadium. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast locally on Comcast SportsNet with Brad Feldman, Paul Mariner, and Jessie Coffield on the call. The game can also be heard locally on the radio on 98.5 The Sports Hub in English and on WMVX 1570 AM “Nossa Radio” in Portuguese.
New England Revolution 0, Columbus Crew SC 2
September 25, 2016 – MAPFRE Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Revs Fall to Crew SC, Drop Below Eastern Conference Red Line
· The Revolution fell to Columbus Crew SC, 2-0, dropping the club’s record to 9-13-9 (36 pts.) on the season. The Revs are now one point below the red line and are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
· The Revolution finished their season series against Columbus with a 1-2-0 mark. The two sides split their prior two meetings, both of which came at Gillette Stadium earlier this season.
Knighton Matches Career High in Saves
· Goalkeeper Brad Knighton made six saves in the first half, eclipsing his previous single-game high (4) of the 2016 season.
· Knighton finished the match with seven saves, equaling his previous single-game high, which he set as a member of Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 6, 2013. Knighton led Vancouver to a 2-0 win in that match.
· Knighton’s seven-save effort is the best of his Revolution career.
Tierney Ties Steve Ralston For Fourth Most Games Started in Revs History
· Defender Chris Tierney made his 196th start for the Revolution in Sunday’s match, tying Steve Ralston for fourth most games started in club history.
· Tierney now trails Head Coach Jay Heaps (238 starts) for third place on the club’s all-time games started list.
Kamara Makes First Appearance at MAPFRE Stadium Since Midseason Trade
· Forward Kei Kamara made his first appearance at MAPFRE Stadium since his midseason trade from Columbus to New England on May 12.
· Kamara paced the Revolution with three shots and three chances created, also recording 54 touches, one tackle, and one foul won.
Neumann Makes First MLS Start of 2016 Regular Season
· Midfielder Steve Neumann made his first start of the 2016 regular season and the fifth of his MLS career in Sunday night’s match.
· The third-year veteran made his regular season debut as a substitute in the Revolution’s win against the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 3. He also made a substitute appearance against New York City FC on Sept. 10.
· Neumann recorded one shot on target and 28 touches in 55 minutes.
Barnes Returns to Starting XI; Makes First Start at Center Back of 2016
· Defender Darrius Barnes made his second start of the 2016 regular season, including his first at center back.
· Barnes was also in New England’s starting XI against Toronto FC on Aug. 6, when he started and played 90 minutes at right back.
Revolution Make Two Changes to Starting XI
· Revolution Head Coach Jay Heaps made two changes to the starting lineup from New England’s most recent match on Sept. 17 at Montreal. Midfielder Steve Neumann replaced Kelyn Rowe, while defender Darrius Barnes replaced José Gonçalves.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
8st minute (SAVE) – Brad Knighton makes a spectacular save on a curling, long-distance strike from Mohammed Saeid to keep the match scoreless. Saeid unleashed the left-footed shot from well beyond the 18-yard box, forcing Knighton to swat it safety with his right hand.
27th minute (CHANCE) – Kei Kamara forces a turnover and leads Juan Agudelo into Columbus’ penalty area with a through-ball. Agudelo, however, can’t beat goalkeeper Steve Clark with a low, driven shot.
30th minute (SAVE) – Brad Knighton makes a second sensational save, this time tipping a powerful shot from Justin Meram off of the crossbar.
38th minute (SHOT) – Diego Fagundez finds Steve Neumann in space and tees him up for a shot from distance, which Neumann gets on frame but within reach of goalkeeper Steve Clark (WATCH HERE).
44th minute (SAVE) – Ethan Finlay puts a right-footed shot from the penalty spot on net, but Brad Knighton stays well positioned to make the save and maintain the score.
66th minute (SAVE) – Brad Knighton’s standout night continues as he comes off his line to deflect an inbound cross from Harrison Afful, ending Crew SC’s scoring threat and keeping New England within one goal.
79th minute (CLEARANCE) – Brad Knighton makes a save on Ethan Finlay’s shot at the near post before Andrew Farrell delivers a clutch goal line clearance on a put-back attempt from Dilly Duka.
GAME CAPSULE
Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referees: Eric Boria (AR1), Kevin Klinger (AR2)
Fourth Official: Hilario Grajeda
Weather: 78 Degrees and Clear
Attendance: 20,012
Scoring Summary:
CLB – Ola Kamara 14 (Mohammed Saeid 3) 42’
CLB – Ola Kamara 15 (Penalty Kick) 84’
Misconduct Summary:
CLB – Michael Parkhurst (Yellow Card – Unsporting Behavior) 37’
CLB – Tony Tchani (Yellow Card – Unsporting Behavior) 48’
CLB – Gaston Sauro (Yellow Card – Handball) 64’
NE – London Woodberry (Yellow Card – Unsporting Behavior) 83’
NE – Scott Caldwell (Yellow Card – Unsporting Behavior) 90’+1’
New England Revolution: Brad Knighton; Chris Tierney, Darrius Barnes, London Woodberry, Andrew Farrell; Scott Caldwell; Diego Fagundez (Daigo Kobayashi 73’), Steve Neumann (Teal Bunbury 55’), Lee Nguyen ©; Juan Agudelo (Femi Hollinger-Janzen 84’), Kei Kamara
Substitutes Not Used: Cody Cropper, José Gonçalves, Donald Smith, Zachary Herivaux
Columbus Crew SC: Steve Clark; Héctor Jiménez, Gaston Sauró, Michael Parkhurst, Harrison Afful; Nicolai Naess, Mohammed Saeid; Justin Meram (Adam Jahn 86’), Tony Tchani (Dilly Duka 76’), Ethan Finlay; Ola Kamara
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Stuver, Corey Ashe, Waylon Francis, Chad Barson, Rodrigo Saravia
