Cristman is no mere footnote
He adds 2 more goals for Revolution in win
NEW ORLEANS -- The Revolution were missing strikers Pat Noonan and Taylor Twellman for last night's match against CD Olimpia of Honduras. But Adam Cristman produced two goals as the Revolution took a 3-1 victory, extending his scoring streak to three games since joining the team this month.
The Revolution took a three-goal lead in a dominating performance -- then faltered in the late going as Olimpia rallied behind several veteran substitutes -- in improving to 5-0 (17-3 goal differential), with a final preseason game against the New Orleans Shellshockers Wednesday.
"I knew I was a good player coming in but not everyone else had the same opinion," said Cristman, who scored in the 21st and 53d minutes. "This is my opportunity to show what I can do. It's a great situation, playing on a great team."
The Revolution's three central midfielders controlled the pace. Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Larentowicz defused Olimpia offensives and Andy Dorman spurred the attack with strong runs with the ball, scoring in the 50th minute off a Steve Ralston cross.
Cristman's first goal was opportunistic as he took control after a defender failed to chest down the ball effectively. The sequence started with a long clearance from goalkeeper Brad Knighton (who replaced Matt Reis -- flu -- as the starter), Willie Sims's pressure leading to a corner. Larentowicz won a throw-in off the corner, and Ralston chipped the ball just inside the penalty area, Cristman rolling the shot past goalkeeper Ricardo James. The Revolution's final goal came after Ralston made a stop on the edge of the penalty area, the pro-Olimpia crowd of 8,947 disputing the non-call, and Joseph launched a long ball to Cristman, who took two touches and slotted the shot to the far post.
"He just wants to score," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said of Cristman. "He is a wee bit like Taylor. It's all about desire. He has that little bit extra when it is between him and the defender. He also has a good football brain and puts himself in a position where he has a chance to score."
Noonan (hernia) is expected to join the Revolution for training this week and Twellman performed as a substitute with the US national team in a 3-1 win over Ecuador in Tampa yesterday. James Riley remained at central defender in place of Michael Parkhurst (dislocated shoulder), who is expected to miss the MLS season-opener at Chicago April 7.
"If you look at the changes we have had to make in the last 10 days, I am happy with how we went about things," Nicol said. "We tried to play the same way. Every [Revolution player] knows what we are looking to do. It's good to win, but you don't get any points for winning in the preseason."
Cristman, a fourth-round draft choice in January, also scored in two of three matches with the US Under-23 team last month.
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com. 