BSJ Playoff Match #3 Breakdown: Revolution 3, Orlando 1 - Revs take advantage where Orlando doesn't

In one of the choppier games of the season, the Revolution were able to sneak past Orlando by taking advantage of their opportunities when they got them. New England's approach to the game undulated several times, but the players were able to execute their coach's direction every step of the way.

Let's look at the starting 11...

• By the time the Revolution scored their first goal, they were still working on stymying the direct nature of Orlando's approach. But they gained momentum by getting Buchanan forward and earning a penalty. Orlando responded by tallying four little scoring chances until the Revolution added another goal on a counter about five minutes later. Before things could get out of hand in the Revolution's favor, Nani's cross resulted in an Orlando goal that brought them back to one. During this entire time frame, momentum largely sat with Orlando despite the two opportunistic moments from the white shirts.

• By this time, both teams had felt each other out and Orlando appeared comfortable to go into the half down by a goal. They knew that they were in control for most of the half and their body language told me they were confident they could equalize in the second half. It was also very apparent that the Revolution were experiencing a higher level of fatigue than they normally would in the first half. The weather difference was clearly a factor, and unlike the Lions, the Revs looked as if they were escaping the first half before they could concede another. Overall during this time frame, things cooled down and neither team were able to create much.

• Orlando owned this portion of the game. Possession was clearly in their favor and it felt like the ball didn't really leave the Revolution's side of the field. Bruce Arena had his team compact and organized in their own end, and it looked like they were already told to try and kill the rest of the game off; something that doesn't normally happen until later in the game.

• Immediately after Orlando received their red card, Arena must have given clear direction to turn around and press hard on the opponent. All of a sudden, the white shirts were pressing high on the Orlando defenders in a clear attempt to run away with the game. Instead, the Revs were only able to generate two shots, and came very close to committing a penalty (DeJuan Jones) on Mueller. This failure to step on the gas and take all of the momentum resulted in a penalty for the opponent in the 73rd minute.

• Once Turner saved the penalty, the momentum was in the Revs' favor and they were able to take control of the game. They got forward conservatively without sending too many players forward and became compact in their own end. Bou's goal came 10 minutes later and they locked up their result.