Revolution get points

FOXBOROUGH -- You can call it luck that FC Dallas cranked two shots off the crossbar instead of into the net. Or fortune that New England keeper Matt Reis stood tall to make consecutive stops with time running out in the game to keep Dallas off the scoreboard.

Whatever way you want to brand the second-half shimmy that New England put on to squeak by Dallas, the result was something the Revolution haven't had in more than a month.

A win.

Last night, before 7,247 fans at Gillette Stadium, the Revolution (4-4-6) picked up 3 points for the first time since May 13, scoring a 1-0 victory against Dallas (8-3-3) in their return home after a two-game, two-tie road trip. On May 20, Dallas kicked off New England's seven-game winless streak, the second-longest in the league , with a 4-0 bludgeoning. So it was even sweeter that the long-awaited win came against the club that started the Revolution's stumble.

``We got very lucky," said Reis. ``They hit the bar a couple times and they had chances in our end. Even that last shot should have gotten on frame. But tonight was our night."

That's something the Revolution haven't been able to say for a long time. But New England, energized by the return of World Cup participants Clint Dempsey (United States) and Avery John (Trinidad and Tobago), netted the game's only goal in the first half and staved off Dallas's rally despite the noodle-like legs that plagued them in the second half.

Those legs, however, were buzzing in the first half, powered by the insertion of the only Yank to score a goal in the US team's fizzled Cup run. For the last month, the undermanned Revolution -- defenders Joe Franchino and James Riley and forward Pat Noonan were the most recent players to hobble off with injuries -- have played with their cleats jammed in quicksand, slow to balls and rarely sustaining pressure on opponents.

Dempsey, who started up front alongside Taylor Twellman, immediately charged at the Dallas defense, dribbling aggressively on the right side and jitterbugging around defenders.

In the 23d minute, Dempsey's frenetic pace led to the game's only goal. Dempsey ran down a loose ball on the right flank and spotted Twellman joining the rush. Dempsey, who converted a pass from DaMarcus Beasley for his Cup goal, was on the service end instead, although he admitted he was aiming a shot low and hard toward the far post.

The shot turned into a cross that eluded two Dallas defenders. And with keeper Dario Sala drawn out of position, Twellman settled the ball and punched it into the net. Twellman, who had drawn the brunt of opposing defenses and scored only two goals during Dempsey's time with the US team, jumped into his teammate's arms after the goal. The goal softened a blow that Twellman took late in the game. Dallas defender Drew Moor's elbow left the side of Twellman's head swollen.

``I came out a little rusty, but I found my game," said Dempsey, who played the full 90 minutes despite cramping toward the end. ``I got some good touches on the ball and got on the scoresheet. I was happy with that, but most important we got 3 points ."

John, who was booted from Trinidad and Tobago's first Cup match after drawing a pair of yellow cards, started at left back in New England's 4-4-2 formation, replacing Tony Lochhead, who had started the last five games. It was John's first appearance for New England this season, while Dempsey was making his sixth start.

John and the New England defense came under heavy pressure in the opening minutes of the second half. Forward Carlos Ruiz slipped by the defense, went one-on-one with John, and fired a low shot on goal. But Reis lunged to his right and batted the ball away with his right hand.

Late in the half, which was extended after Sala collided with New England's Shalrie Joseph and suffered a cut on the side of his head, Dallas continued its assault. In the 81st minute, midfielder Kenny Cooper bonked a header off the crossbar. Minutes later, Reis earned his paycheck by diving to his left to stop an across-the-grain blast by reserve Dominic Oduro. The ball bounced off Reis and toward the far post where forward Roberto Mina was lurking, but the keeper scrambled to his feet and got a piece of the rebound, ensuring the victory for his club.