Once again missed opportunities and defensive mistakes cost the New England Revolution as they lost 3-2 at home to Chivas USA on Saturday.
Revs coach Steve Nicol handed a debut start to Argentine forward Milton Caraglio, the Revolution’s first-ever Designated Player and he almost made an immediate impact. In the 22nd Caraglio arrived at the back post to head Zack Schilawski’s cross across the face of goal. The ball arrived at the feet of Chris Tierney, who failed to turn the ball into the net.
As has happened too many times to count this season, the Revs missed opportunities and their opponents went down the park and scored and it happened again in the 31st minute. Simon Elliott began the move from deep in the midfield when he picked out LaBrocca on the right wing, while LaBrocca immediately delivered a curling cross into the box. Moreno snuck between Revolution defender Darrius Barnes and goalkeeper Matt Reis to poke a shot into the roof of the net and give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Chivas USA doubled its advantage shortly after the halftime break when LaBrocca initial shot from inside the box was blocked by Barnes, but the rebound fell kindly to the Chivas USA midfielder, who deposited his second effort into the upper left corner.
Trailing by a pair of goals, the Revs made two changes in the following minutes as they switched out their forwards. Kenny Mansally replaced Caraglio in the 62nd minute, while Fagundez replaced Schilawski in the 66th minute.
Fagundez, a 16-year-old Home Grown Player from Leominster, Mass. made an immediate impact, drawing a penalty just two minutes after taking the field for the first time in an MLS match. Following a weaving run into the left side of the box, Fagundez was chopped down by Chivas USA defender Heath Pearce and referee Mark Kadlecik pointed to the spot. Joseph stepped up and buried the penalty kick into the upper left corner to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 69th minute.
The Revs should have tied the game up in the 79th minute when Stephen McCarthy headed Tierney’s free kick across the face of goal, but Joseph’s close-range header was pushed wide by Kennedy. Great save by the Chivas goalkeeper, but it should have been a goal.
The Revs were left to rue their missed opportunity, as the visitors restored their two-goal lead just one minute later. Moreno attempted a clever back heel as he received a low cross inside the box, but while he failed to direct his effort on target, he succeeded in settling the ball to his own feet. With Reis fooled by the initial attempt, Moreno coolly finished from a tight angle to put Chivas USA ahead 3-1.
Fagundez capped his dream debut with a goal in the 86th minute, fighting off the challenge of Chivas USA defender Zarek Valentin before latching onto Kevin Alston’s long pass and finishing calmly past Kennedy from the left side of the box.
The Revs then had one last chance to grab an equalizer when Joseph’s 20-yard drive seemed destined for the upper left corner, but Kennedy pushed the effort off the post and Chivas USA escaped with all three points.
