Revolution back on attack
They strike early, subdue Wizards
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - After producing their most definitive season-opening victory and sustaining their most decisive second-game defeat, the Revolution could not have known what to expect when they met the Kansas City Wizards last night.
But with three 19-year-olds in the starting lineup, they took a 3-1 victory, the go-ahead and insurance scores provided by Gambian teenagers Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally before 8,906 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, a minor league baseball facility the Wizards are using while a soccer-specific stadium is built.
"It was important after the last game [a 4-0 loss to Chicago] that we don't concede any goals and that we start well," coach Steve Nicol said. "We scored against the run of play and Matt [Reis] made some great saves. The first half, I'm sure they were thinking the same as we were, that the ball was going to end up in the back of the net, whether their net or ours."
The Revolution went with a makeshift lineup, Gary Flood starting in place of Jeff Larentowicz (suspended) in a defensive midfield role, and 19-year-old Amaechi Igwe replacing Chris Albright (ankle) at left back. Another newcomer, Honduran midfielder Mauricio Castro, took on a playmaking role in place of Steve Ralston (shoulder), and his free kicks led to two goals, the first an own goal by Wizards defender Jack Jewsbury in the 12th minute, the second by Mansally in the 40th.
The Wizards tied the score on Jewsbury's penalty kick (28th), but Nyassi settled the issue by finishing a feed from Khano Smith in the 33d minute.
The Revolution (2-1-0, 6 points) tied the Wizards (2-1-0) for first place in the Eastern Conference, and could be closer to full strength when they host Colorado Saturday.
Reis made some spectacular stops in the early going and Shalrie Joseph stabilized the midfield. The Wizards failed to recover until after halftime, and the Revolution reacted by going to a 4-4-2 alignment for the final 24 minutes.
"Definitely, teams are going to struggle if we go forward," Nicol said. "So we have to make them struggle. Even with 10 men [against Chicago], the mentality of this team is to go forward.
"The mentality is good. Everyone reacted positively and strong-minded. We know things are going to happen during the season, and you have to stand up and be counted when the time comes."
Castro started lining up free kicks in the early going, missing high (sixth minute) after Nyassi was fouled after going past two Wizards on the edge of the penalty area. The Wizards had the best early chances, Reis saving twice (ninth) on Kurt Morsink following a Claudio Lopez cross. But the Revolution scored against the run of play after Joseph was fouled. Castro curled the free kick just inside the goal area, and Tyson Wahl's attempted clearance ricocheted off Jewsbury into the net in the 12th minute.
Reis then made a kick save (17th) on Scott Sealy following a Carlos Marinelli-Lopez combination, and Lopez headed high off the corner kick.
"We gave them a few looks in the first half," Reis said. "I had a good look at both of [Morsink's] shots; they were pretty much right at me. And Sealy's header went off his shoulder.
"We showed our inexperience in the second half. Instead of holding the ball, and making it hard on the other team, we didn't keep possession. We have to work on a few little things."
The game was played at high tempo, a cold rain making the field slick.
The Revolution's willingness to attack kept the Wizards off balance in the first half. Mansally nearly broke the tie, running onto a Castro through ball and shooting off advancing goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Wahl caught up to the slow roller just before it crossed the goal line.
An Igwe turnover near the halfway line led to a Wizard assault and a penalty kick as Morsink went down following a Nyassi tackle. Referee Terry Vaughn correctly allowed play to continue as Sealy took Morsink's pass and hit the left post, then pointed to the penalty spot. Jewsbury slotted the penalty (27th) to Reis's left.
A Mansally-Smith combination on the left wing set up the go-ahead score. Smith took Mansally's return pass on the left, then took several touches and rolled a pass from near the end line. Nyassi ran forward and slammed a low shot past Hartman. Nyassi was fouled on the right wing (39th), Marinelli cautioned on the play. Nyassi remained off the field while Castro took the free kick, this one landing near Joseph, who distracted defenders as Mansally sent in a left-foot shot from just inside the penalty area for a 3-1 lead.
"We talked about being solid in the second half, keeping things tight," Nicol said. "The field was really fast and it was difficult for the players to control the ball."
The Wizards retaliated with an aggressive attack at the start of the second half, sending Chance Myers in for Michael Harrington and sending him forward from the left back spot, then adding Roger Espinoza on the left wing in place of defensive midfielder Kerry Zavagnin in the 59th minute. The Revolution were forced to retreat into the penalty area, stopping nearly every Wizard advance until Marinelli missed an open shot in the 62d minute.
The Revolution then replaced Castro with Chase Hilgenbrinck, switching to a 4-4-2 formation in the 66th minute. Ten minutes later, the Wizards added Eloy Colombano, going to a three-forward attack. Reis stopped a Marinelli-Lopez combination, saving at the near post (77th).
"We have a lot of young guys, and it's important they play well," Reis said. "They showed they can produce."
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.
