LOS ANGELES – Even after conceding the game’s opening goal in the 52nd minute, Brad Friedel knew that his New England Revolution side would have the belief to claw back against Los Angeles FC.
LAFC have been leaky in the second half of games this season – conceding 64 percent of their goals after the break and a hefty chunk of those in the final 15 minutes – and Friedel had driven that point home to the Revs prior to their first-ever visit to Banc of California Stadium.
That belief manifested itself in a stellar response to going behind, and ultimately led an 82nd-minute equalizer – Brandon Bye’s first career goal – in Saturday night’s 1-1 draw.
“It definitely was in our mind, especially when it was the 70th minute, 75th minute,” said Teal Bunbury, who came off the bench to provide the assist on Bye’s header. “I remember Jalil (Anibaba) coming up to a few us and saying, ‘Hey, they concede late. Let’s stay tuned in, locked in.’
“We tried to keep the pressure on, and we were able to get that goal.”
New England so nearly had a second goal as Cristian Penilla hit the post with a low drive in stoppage time, and on the balance of play Friedel felt his side should’ve taken all three points, particularly after outshooting the hosts 20-15, including 14-6 in the second half.
“We had some really good chances that we should’ve scored, let’s face it,” said Friedel. “They had a couple off counterattacks, but really good to come back into the game and then felt that we should’ve won it.”
Ultimately the Revs had to settle for one point – stretching their modest September unbeaten run to three games (1-0-2) – but it could prove a vital point in the postseason race as the Revs are now five points back of the final playoff spot with a game in hand on the sixth-place Montreal Impact.
Six games remain on the regular-season schedule – three home and three away – beginning with next weekend’s absolutely vital clash with the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium.
“We’re going to keep fighting until the end,” said Friedel. “We’ve got six games, we’ve got 18 points to play for, and if we get them all, then I firmly believe we’ll be in the playoffs.
“I think this point is a decent one on the road – would’ve wanted all three, but I think the players showed a lot of character.”
