Lekic Gives Revolution a tie
Sunday, June 19, 2011 by Admin
FOXBOROUGH — So much for creating scoring chances. The Revolution appear to have solved that problem by switching to a 4-4-2 alignment. As for actually putting the ball in the net, though, the Revolution still have a ways to go.
The Revolution snapped their home scoreless streak last night in a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire, but they squandered several opportunities that could have put an end to their six-game winless streak.
The Revolution snapped their home scoreless streak last night in a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire, but they squandered several opportunities that could have put an end to their six-game winless streak.
Rajko Lekic’s 48th-minute goal, his second since joining the Revolution in April, evened the score after Dominic Oduro had given the Fire a first-half lead.
“It’s disappointing,’’ Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. “To be honest, it feels like a loss, coming in at halftime one down when we should be three up. Defensively, we’ve been great this year; but we defended terribly. But saying that, going forward we created chances.’’
The Revolution (3-7-6, 15 points) have converted an MLS-low 12 goals this season. But they have displayed an effective attack since abandoning a 4-5-1 setup and going to a Lekic-Kenny Mansally forward combination in the second half of a 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls two weeks ago. Mansally continued to threaten in this game, but missed a point-blank header off a Sainey Nyassi cross in the opening half, then fired high off a quickly taken free kick in the second half.
Late in the game, Chicago (2-4-9, 15 points) took control, nearly overcoming some resourceful Revolution defending. Then, just before the final whistle, Lekic juggled the ball and volleyed a left-footer just wide.
“It was with the left and I can’t score with the left, sorry,’’ Lekic said.
But Lekic has been effective in the two-striker setup and in this game produced several individual moves for shots, including a left-footer that was knocked away by Sean Johnson in the 28th minute. Four minutes later, Oduro converted on a Chicago breakout following a Revolution free kick. Patrick Nyarko outdueled Nyassi as the ball bounced out of the penalty area, then squared to Oduro, who ran toward Darrius Barnes and sent a low shot past Matt Reis.
Nyassi’s runs on the right wing kept pressure on the Fire defense, and nearly paid off in the 38th minute. Mansally missed a chance to tie, though, heading high from the edge of the goal area off a Nyassi cross.
But the Revolution continued to set the tempo as the second half began.
Lekic tied it after controlling an off-target shot by Pat Phelan, placing the finish past Johnson. Chicago appealed for an offside call, but central defender Cory Gibbs was even with Lekic as the shot was taken. Lekic ended a 269-minute home scoreless streak for the Revolution and converted for the first time since April 23, when he scored the deciding goal in a 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City.
“I played maybe [eight] games without scoring a goal and I’m here to score goals, so it’s a tough time for me,’’ Lekic said. “I saw Pat had the ball and if he missed the ball I’m alone, and he missed it. I had maybe one or two seconds and just put it in. It was a great game for the team. We played good, we created chances, and Sainey played good on the right side.’’
The Revolution nearly went ahead when Shalrie Joseph touched a free kick to Mansally, who shot high (66th). The play started as Lekic was taken down by Gonzalo Segares in the penalty arc, Joseph quickly taking the kick as referee Silviu Petrescu cautioned Segares.
Ryan Guy replaced Chris Tierney in the 71st minute in his first MLS appearance for the Revolution, two minutes later clearing an Orr Barouch header off the line.
“The last 10 minutes, I’d have to say the midweek game [a 0-0 tie with Toronto FC] caught up with us,’’ Nicol said. “We ran out of legs. We tried to get forward — when you’re doing that when you’re tired, you’re going to leave holes.
“We’re disappointed, yeah, to make the chances we did. And Lekic nearly gets it there at the end with a fantastic effort. But that’s just how it’s going at the present time. We have to keep banging away. Certainly can’t have any complaints making chances again, but we need to start putting them in.’’
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