Revs II Secure Points at Home Following Sleepy Start
Despite the early goal conceded, Revs II held on to secure two points inside Gillette Stadium.
Richie Williams and New England Revolution II looked to get back into the win column on Wednesday when they started a two-game homestand hosting two-time MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Champions, Columbus Crew 2.
Wednesday’s match saw Riche Williams make two changes from the April 9 loss to Orlando City B on the road. Donovan Parisian made his third consecutive start in goal behind the backline of Hesron Barry, Victor Souza, Gabe Dahlin, and Eric Klein. Allan Oyirwoth, Cristiano Oliveira, and Marcos Dias started in the midfield behind the attacking trio of Gevork Diarbian, Liam Butts, and Alex Monis.
Wednesday was a historical match for Dias and Souza. Dias’ inclusion in the lineup increased his total number of appearances to 79, which is now tied alongside former Revs II defender Pierre Cayet and midfielder Jake Rozhansky for the second-most appearances in club history. It also marked Souza’s 50th appearance for the club. He becomes the ninth player in club history to reach the 50-appearance milestone.
Things got off to a horrible start for Revolution II. Hesron Barry fouled Brent Adu-Gyamfi just outside the box on Columbus’ initial push downfield. Nicolas Rincon was the one to send the free kick into the box as he found a wide-open Chris Rodgers at the six-yard box and effortlessly headed the ball off the woodwork and in to give Crew 2 a 1-0 lead just 42 seconds into the match.
After several good chances, Revs II finally found the breakthrough in the 22nd minute. After receiving a back pass, Dahlin lobbed a perfect ball forward into the path of Butts. The forward evaded Columbus’ pressure and slotted the ball past an advancing Stanislav Lapkes to level the match and notch his third goal of the season.
Controversy then arose in the 34th minute when Marcos Dias found himself one-on-one with Lapkes. The striker attempted to maneuver around Lapkes but ended up on the ground. Despite the contact, the referee did not call the foul that would have awarded Revs II a penalty kick.
Two changes came in the 62nd minute when Damario McIntosh and Damorney Hutchinson replaced Diarbian and Butts. Hutchinson nearly made an instant impact in the 64th minute.
Dias sent the corner kick curling to Hutchinson yards outside the box. The headband lover flawlessly chested the ball and attempted to lob the volley to the right side of the net. Unfortunately, he put too much on it as it rolled wide right of goal.
In the 67th minute, Chase Adams was at the right place at the right time as he headed the ball from yards outside after a shot rocketed off the crossbar. Parisian got his hands to the header, but deflected it onto the woodwork as it ricocheted in, giving Columbus a 2-1 lead.
But Oliveira came up big in the 78th minute when he got on the end of a cross from Klein and headed it home to level the match at two apiece and net his first professional goal.
Two more changes came in the 79th minute when Academy prospects Judah Siqueira and Grant Emerhi replaced Oliveira and Monis. Neither side found the advantage as things ended in a 2-2 draw. With a point each, both sides battled for the additional point in a penalty shootout.
Pressure ramped up for Columbus at the end of round three when Chris Rogers attempted to find the upper half of the net, but put too much on it as it bounced off the crossbar and out of play. Klein stepped to the spot looking to secure the additional point and he rocketed a shot centrally to propel Revolution II to a dominant 4-1 shootout victory to secure the club two points.
Revs II will look to secure all three points when they wrap up a two-game homestand on Saturday when they welcome New York City FC II.