Revolution at L.A. Galaxy, 3.31.12

Last year around this time, the Revolution played the Galaxy in an L.A. downpour and were exceedingly lucky to leave town with a 1-1 draw. It rained again for this season’s L.A./New England matchup. But this time around, a largely retooled Revolution squad beat the stuffing out of the Galaxy, and the 3-1 final score line fully reflected the run of play. Bizarre as it may sound, the Revolution were unquestionably the better team, pressing all over the field, creating chances, and above all defending well. Last season, no lead was too large that the Revs couldn’t lose it, but against the Galaxy the game was never seriously in doubt, even after Robbie Keane pulled one back in the 78^th minute. For the first time in a long time, Revolution fans can be forgiven for feeling something like optimism flicker in their breasts.

Rookie Kelyn Rowe was all over the field against L.A. He scored a goal and was occasionally brilliant on the ball. In the 9^th minute, for example, he skillfully settled a long ball, took part in a quick give-and-go, and then found Lee Nguyen on the left flank with a long diagonal pass. (L.A. was susceptible to the long diagonal ball, particularly in the first half.) While that buildup didn’t lead to a goal, Rowe didn’t have to wait long for his efforts to be rewarded. Seconds after Nguyen’s cross was cleared, the Revs earned a throw-in and Shalrie Joseph sent an arcing pass into the box that found a wide-open Rowe. Rowe first-timed a volley to keeper Josh Saunders and then scored off the rebound. Rowe’s best strike of the night, however, came in the 73^rd minute, when, standing near the corner of the box, he laced a one-time volley that put me in mind of Arjen Robben. Seriously, the shot was that sweet, though this time around it didn’t lead to a goal.

The Revolution back line again couldn’t finish a game intact, but all its iterations performed well. A. J. Soares was stellar in the center and played all game, positioning himself effectively and clearing the ball with conviction and composure. Stephen McCarthy returned from suspension, and I love the way he played. He took a knock from Buddle early in the second half and had some words for him. He, like Soares, is a strong player who likes to mix it up and jaw a little. Other teams’ forwards are going to dread playing against these guys, which is of course exactly the feeling you want your center backs to provoke. Outside backs Kevin Alston and Chris Tierney routinely flew up the flanks during the first half, and Tierney scored the Revolution’s second goal on a pass from his back line mate in the 13^th minute.

Tierney repeatedly pressed forward into spaces left wide open by L.A. midfielders and defenders. New England midfielder Clyde Simms, who played another strong, unflashy game, covered for Tierney on those attacks. It was a good bit of strategy from Revolution coach Jay Heaps, who should also be given credit for starting speedy Ryan Guy alongside Saer Sene at forward. Guy’s solid performance against L.A. should earn him plenty of more opportunities in that role. Joseph also had a solid game, as did Nguyen, but above all the Revolution finally exuded that indefinable quality of a team that plays like a team. Revolution players often gave solid individual efforts last year, but you seldom if ever had the sense that they were working together. Against L.A. this year, they played like Real Salt Lake, a collection of good-but-not-great players working hard as a unit.

There was one moment during the L.A. match when this unity appeared to falter. Newly signed defender Flo Lechner, who started the second half in place of Alston due to an injury, was visibly upset around the 54^th minute, throwing up his hands in frustration on the far sideline as his teammates strung together a number of passes in L.A. territory. Lechner’s paraded frustration reminded me strongly of last season’s Revolution team, which of course played in a state of perpetual frustration. I hope Heaps and/or Joseph sees Lechner’s gesture on tape and tells him that the Revolution don’t need that kind of thing. If you want the ball, then play good defense and make some good runs and eventually you’ll get it.