A late-game gaffe by Antonio Delamea caused the New England Revolution to drop points in its second game of Group C at the MLS Is Back Tournament Friday night, as the club settled for a 1-1 tie with D.C. United.
New England Revolution drop points to DC
United’s Federico Higuain intercepted Delamea’s lazy touch back to goalkeeper Matt Turner in the 73rd minute, then slotted the ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the tournament.
Until that point, New England had firm control of the game and appeared en route to consecutive victories and an automatic berth to the Round of 16.
The Revolution took the lead in the 51st minute. Winger Cristian Penilla fired a shot off from the left side of the box that deflected off D.C. defender Oniel Fisher and floated into the airspace above striker Adam Buksa, who flicked the open header into the side netting past goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
Lightning in the Orlando area delayed kick-off by 10 minutes, but the Revolution picked up right where they left off from their opening victory over the Montreal Impact last Thursday night. But while the Revs came close to scoring several times, their finishing touch left a bit to be desired.
Kelyn Rowe blasted over the bar in the 25th minute following a give-and-go between Carles Gil and Gustavo Bou, then Hamid dropped low to knock away Bou’s drive from outside the penalty area in the 42nd minute. Hamid was also equal to Penilla’s effort off a breakaway in the 61st minute.
Buksa’s opening goal affirmed New England’s control of the game, with Higuain’s equalizer arriving against the run of play.
Group C wraps up July 21 with New England playing Toronto FC and D.C. facing Montreal.
Toronto and New England are both tied at the top of the group with four points, while D.C. is in third with two and Montreal is last with none.
