Revolution sink D.C., move into 2d place
WASHINGTON -- The Revolution are perfecting their sprint to the MLS finish line. A 2-1 win over D.C. United last night extended the Revolution's unbeaten streak to six games (4-0-2) and put them in second place in the Eastern Conference.
Goals by Clint Dempsey (34th minute) and Taylor Twellman (47th) provided the difference for the Revolution (11-8-12, 45 points), who conclude the regular season vs. Columbus Saturday.
The key to the Revolution's success was a change of formation, from a 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2, with Steve Ralston switching to right back. After surrendering a goal to Christian Gomez (26th), the Revolution seemed to adjust , then kicked into gear through the play of Andy Dorman, supported by Ralston, on the right wing.
``We kept a good shape," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. ``D.C. gets in behind you, they are very good at running in behind you, and it was important for us to play four [defenders], especially having some people out [with injuries].
``The important thing is, when we got the ball, we played. We didn't come here to draw -- we came here to win. We needed to keep it tight to start with, then go from there."
D.C. United (15-6-10), which won the Supporters Shield as the team with the best regular-season record, displayed flashes of offensive brilliance, but struggled near the goal.
``We kept the crowd quiet and that's important to do here," Nicol said. ``This is a great atmosphere. D.C. always plays us tough physically and they were giving us everything."
The Revolution lined up in a three-back formation in a 1-1 tie with United Sept. 13. But the defense was affected by the absences of Avery John (international duty), Shalrie Joseph (hand), and James Riley (hamstring).
Ralston moved to right back for the first time since Sept. 25, 2004. And when Ralston picked off a Freddy Adu dribble in the first minute, then defended a Jaime Moreno advance, it symbolized the efficacy of the switch.
The Revolution found room on the wings against United's three-man back line, Dorman sending Dempsey-bound crosses to be headed away by Bryan Namoff in the fourth and 22d minutes.
D.C. took the lead as Namoff rounded Lochhead, making his first start since July 4, in the 26th minute and crossed past Jay Heaps to the edge of the goal area. Moreno held the ball up for Gomez to send past Matt Reis. But Reis made stops on Moreno two minutes later and on a cross that fell to Gomez. Heaps cleared the shot off the goal line in the 38th minute.
Dorman set up the tying goal with a centering pass, Dempsey took down the ball with his left foot and moved past Brandon Prideaux and Namoff, then beat goalkeeper Troy Perkins to tie the score.
United controlled most of the midfield play, but was vulnerable in counterattack in the opening half. And the Revolution continued advancing in the second half, a Dorman move on the right wing setting up the deciding goal.
In the opening minute of the second half, Dorman's cross was one-timed by Jeff Larentowicz, whose volley deflected off the side of the net. Dorman then sent the corner for Heaps to flick on for a diving Twellman header. Twellman, 26, is the youngest player (three years younger than Real Salt Lake's Jason Kreis) to score 75 career goals in MLS history.
``All 11 players are on the same page and we are winning games," Twellman said. ``Everyone is doing their job, guys are filling in. Everyone gets together and we work as a team. We have a bunch of competitive guys and we hate to lose."
