UPDATE: Noonan and Larentowicz do it for the Revs; RSL fall 2-1

By: Sabin | July 30th, 2007

The New England Revolution defeated Real Salt Lake in Utah, increasing their MLS-best road record to 5-2-2 and solidifying themselves in some pundits’ eyes as a solid competitor for the 2007 MLS Cup.

Pat Noonan socred the first goal after a build-up play by Jeff Larentowicz and Taylor Twellman. With phenomenal footwork and balance Noonan slipped a tricky left-footed shot past keeper Nick Rimando and brought the Revs ahead in the 39th minute. His second goal in as many games, Noonan seems to be finding his form again.

“I’m pretty much 100 percent,” he said.” I’m starting to feel in form and as long as we’re winning games, that’s all I care about.”

In the 67th minute, Andy Williams was sent off for a red-card tackle on Andy Dorman, who got up after spending a few minutes on the field. In spite of being down a man, however, RSL was able to earn a penalty kick in the 72nd minute when Kyle Beckerman went down on what looked like a desperate tackle by Jay Heaps. Carey Talley beat Matt Reis with a low strike, tying the game one all.

The lead wasn’t to hold, however. The Revs continued to dominate play after RSL’s game-tying goal. After a number of shots on goal and good build-ups over the next 10 minutes, a free kick hammered home by Larentowicz in the 82nd minute gave the Revs the lead. The well-driven shot through the wall caught Rimando off guard and was all they needed to clinch the 3 points.

“Steve [Ralston] said I could take it, simple as that,” Larentowicz said. “I grabbed the ball right when the foul happened and put it down the way I wanted it and Steve looked at me and said I could have it, so I hit it”.

In addition to the free kick goal, Larentowicz played a solid defensive-midfield game and earned himself the Honda Man of the Match honors. Also, the Fox Soccer Channel announcers pronounced his name correctly for the first time I can remember. All in all, it was a good night for Larentowicz.

RSL will come out of the loss with some positives, or at least they should. A largely drab first half was overshadowed by the passion the home team showed in the second. This team, more than any other, has been affected by staffing and player changes, right up to this weekend. Rather than play this last game with his teammates, Freddy Adu packed his bags for Benifica of Purtugal. Alecko Exkandarian stayed on the sidelines with an injury, and Jason Kreis continues to try and find the right balance for a winning combination.

In spite of that, however, the team played with passion and drive. Even when down a goal, they didn’t push for the draw, but the win.

Noonan’s goal was assisted by a downfield pass from Larentowicz and a great placement-header from Taylor Twellman. It seemed an even game in the final stats, with both teams pretty much even on shots, shots on goal, fouls suffered, and fouls committed.

Analysis
The Revs are playing a refreshing style of attacking football in an era when this is — more often than not — the exception rather than the rule. With a league-best road record of 5-2-2, the Revs are proving that going for draws away from home isn’t the only way to play. Despite that, their home performances have been weaker than they’d like, and fans will want to see the points racked up at Gillette if they are to feel satisfied that a draft-only team is the best way to a post-season victory.

In spite of no big-name deals, the Revs now sit alone at the top of the Eastern Conference. They are on a four-game no-loss streak. Noonan has scored two goals in as many games. The team is on pace to match or exceed their season points of 2005 and — counting games-in-hand — are in place to meet or exceed league-leader Houston’s points. Hard work seems to have given this always-the-bridesmaid team an edge, but is this really the year for the Revs?

A lot of pundits out there think so, and one can’t help but wonder if the dream can become reality. Some fans are doubtful, though, making the argument that the Revs lack in defensive midfield depth.

The players and staff, though, are a veteran team used to dealing with hardships and continue to play their style of football whether at home or away. They know what they need to do to win, and their rookies seem to get better with every game. These are all good signs. Though every hard tackle and mis-placed step causes fans to beg for no more long-term injuries, my belief is that the victories this season will not be remembered as Pyhrric, but rather as step after inevitable step towards that coveted piece of silverware.