FOXBORO – The New England Revolution’s bid to advance to the Round of 16 within the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match amounted to nil.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of the United Soccer League scored late within the first half and held on to beat the Revolution 1-0 on Tuesday evening at Gillette Stadium.
The Revolution received their opening spherical match 2-1 over Hartford Athletic at Gillette on April 25. The Revolution have been handed their first house lack of the season in all competitions. They are actually 7-4-1 in U.S. Cup matches performed at house and 10-4-3 in opposition to USL opponents.
The Revolution resume MLS play driving an eight-game league unbeaten streak in opposition to Inter Miami at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
“I think you have to give Pittsburgh a lot of credit, they played real hard,” stated Revolution head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena. “But it was a poor performance on our part and there are no excuses.”
Arena primarily employed veteran back-ups in his Starting XI in opposition to Pittsburgh, a evident distinction to the teenaged rookies and homegrowns that took the pitch in opposition to Hartford.
Keeper Earl Edwards received his second Open Cup match of the season and the tenth in his profession. Jozy Altidore and Giacomo Vrioni began up high for New England whereas former Revolution first spherical decide (2021) Edward Kizza was on the assault for Pittsburgh.
“I don’t think our forwards played very well tonight,” stated Arena. “He (Altidore) has a solution to go together with his health and he was clearly exhausted ultimately.
“We used all our available substitutions so he had to suck it up.”
Revolution midfielder Latif Blessing picked up a yellow card within the nineteenth minute and narrowly escaped drawing a purple card when he scored a tough takedown on Pittsburgh defender Joseph Farrell within the twenty fifth minute. Pittsburgh was awarded a free kick in a positive place however didn’t make a play on the aim.
Pittsburgh was the more practical staff by way of possession (62%) and passes (332-214) within the first half with each groups creating high quality scoring possibilities.
Pittsburgh scored the lone aim within the forty fourth minute when midfielder Marc Ybarra related with Danny Griffin within the penalty space. Griffin break up the Revolution middle backs Omar Gonzalez and Ben Sweat and beat Edwards to the close to submit.
“I think Omar was in position to make a play,” stated Arena. “Edwards just had to hold his position in the goal but I will have to look at it on tape.”
Pittsburgh was defending its tenuous 1-0 benefit when Arena made a serious substitution within the sixty fourth minute that concerned 4 key gamers. Arena despatched in captain Carles Gil, midfielder Emmanuel Boateng and defenders Dave Romney and Brandon Bye. Arena employed an identical second half substitution ploy in opposition to Hartford.
“I think the guys that came in in the second half did good a good job,” stated Arena. “But they did a good job protecting the lead in the second half.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com