Everything you need to know about the Revs’ 2-2 draw with Columbus in quickie form, with BSJ analysis and insight:
Teal Bunbury and Cristian Penilla each scored goals to help the Revolution earn a critical point Saturday night, and while we love to highlight the goal-scorers, this match – just as entertaining as Revs manager Brad Friedel predicted on Tuesday -- was more than about scoring goals.
HEADLINES
Admit it -- the New England back line played out of its mind: Sure, a 2-2 scoreline doesn’t look spectacular to the untrained eye. But after you take away Andrew Farrell’s ninth-minute mistake in bundling the ball into his own goal -- a mistake he acknowledged with his head in his hands -- and after you realize the second goal was just a fantastic counter, you come to the undeniable conclusion that the Revolution back four played pretty darn good on the road. How many stops did Jalil Anibaba make (and punctuate with a massive fist pump) and clear off the line? How many great tackles by Claude Dielna and Farrell? And one of those Dielna tackles, while on a yellow, and coming inside the penalty area? That was nervy but well-timed. If it isn’t, Dielna’s in the locker room 19 minutes before everyone else. The back line, when focused and determined, feels like they will decide many a match for the New England Revolution this season.
Revs get beat on the counter: Much like the first goal by NYCFC a month ago, Columbus’ last counterattack late in the first half had the Revolution pierced, and pierced hard. Three longball touches from the flank through the center saw Gyasi Zardes flash over and behind Anibaba before he slotted home in the 43rd. And like the counterattack against NYCFC, it was just rather clinical.
Lovely stuff, @ColumbusCrewSC. ?@gyasinho makes it 2-1! #CLBvNE https://t.co/jifiwE13hd
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 22, 2018
Check that @JuanAgudelo footwork...
...and Penilla applies the finish. 2-2. #CLBvNE https://t.co/YRo3vMcyJT
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 22, 2018
He's gonna want that one back.
An early lead for #CrewSC! #CLBvNE https://t.co/ltg4fna3Yh
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 21, 2018