Revolution all tied up
Nyassi’s spectacular goal lone highlight
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Earning a tie on the road and setting an MLS record would normally be a cause for celebration for the Revolution. But after a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls last night, the Revolution were expressing regret they failed to protect a halftime advantage.
The Revolution took the lead on a Sainey Nyassi highlight film goal and extended their unbeaten streak against the Red Bulls to 13 games, but missed a chance to move into a playoff spot among the top eight teams, with six games remaining in the season.
Nyassi’s 13th-minute goal for the Revolution (9-8-7, 34 points) was matched by the Red Bulls (4-17-5, 17 points) as John Wolyniec finished a controversial counterattack.
“If we finish chances at 1-nil the game’s over,’’ Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. “They had a good shake for a penalty [early in the second half], but at the same time, the goal they scored comes from what should have been a free kick.’’
The sequence leading to the tying score started after Revolution captain Steve Ralston forced an Andrew Boyens turnover. But a Mac Kandji through ball set up a Dane Richards cross, Wolyniec charging in near the goal area.
“Ralston strips the ball from Boyens, and from then on Boyens is pulling him and shoving him, doing whatever he can to keep him from getting toward the goal,’’ Nicol said. “That’s pretty blatant and straightforward - and they score from it. We said they were going to score either from the pace of [Dane] Richards or a free kick.’’
The Revolution played without suspended starters Edgaras Jankauskas and Wells Thompson, who are set to return against Seattle next Saturday. Chris Tierney replaced Thompson on the left wing and Kheli Dube started at forward.
Nyassi’s second goal of the season followed a strong run on the right wing, followed by a full stride stepover, then a rocket finish. The play was set up as Ralston sent the ball wide after an Emmanuel Osei clearance, finding Nyassi at full speed. Nyassi went directly at left back Danleigh Borman, who backed off from the stepover and a fake, Nyassi capitalizing with a powerful blast from about 15 yards over goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul.
The goal was reminiscent of Nyassi’s first Revolution score, in the season opener against Houston last year. But Nyassi has scored only three goals since - this was his second since April 9, 2008, and first since a 2-1 win over FC Dallas April 4.
The Red Bulls went to a 3-5-2 at the start of the second half, adding Albert Celades to the midfield. The switch did not seem to make New York more dangerous in attack, but the Red Bulls did nearly earn a penalty as Wolyniec went down in a clash with Osei in the opening minutes of the half.
Nyassi seemed to have plenty of energy, despite continuing his Ramadan fast.
“Today, I ate at 6:15, which really helped me; I didn’t have the energy the last game,’’ Nyassi said of a 2-0 loss at Chivas USA, a game that started at noon. “I thought about [breaking the fast]. You have to do it, it’s compulsory. There are conditions, it allows you to skip days, if you make a living on something, you can break it, but you have to do it when you have time.’’
The Revolution have a 7-0-6 record against the Red Bulls since 2005, the unbeaten streak breaking the MLS mark held by San Jose against the Revolution.
“It’s really disappointing,’’ Nyassi said. “We talked about it before we went out on the field. They are the worst team in the league, they’ve had problems since the beginning of the season, and we wanted 3 points but, unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Now, we have to focus on the next game.’’
The Revolution nearly had a two-goal lead.
“He grabbed me,’’ Ralston said of Boyens. “It wasn’t like a blatant, blatant foul. [Referee Hilario Grajeda] could have called it, unfortunately he didn’t, and they went down and scored. It went from possibly being 2-0 to 1-1, a big change. The first half, great start. But give them credit, they changed their formation a little bit in the second half and we didn’t adjust to it as well as we should have.
“When we got tired we kind of lost our shape and lost our focus. That’s the time we really need to be stronger mentally. You know what, if you’re tired to go forward just keep your shape. I feel like we didn’t do that. We were just running around.
“The plan was to get 3 points, especially taking the lead. We’ve always done a good job here killing the game off. Two points could be really critical later in the season but, at the same time, every point counts. We know that a point could be the difference.’’
Frank Dell’Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com. 
