The New England Revolution accomplished something no other soccer team could do in 14 games this season.
The Revolution departed TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a result.
The Revolution (10-3-7) snapped FC Cincinnati’s 10-game MLS home winning streak (and 13 in all competitions) with a 2-2 draw in a showdown of heavyweights on a hot and humid Saturday night.
FC Cincinnati (13-2-5) remained in first place in the East with the best record in MLS while the Revolution are 3-3-4 on the road. The Revolution and FC Cincinnati battled to a 1-1 draw on April 29 at Gillette Stadium.
“I don’t think we played particularly well,” said Revolution head coach Bruce Arena. “Our passing was poor on the night but it is good to get the point, I can’t argue that.
“I guess I will leave it at that. There is not much more to say honestly.”
After the Revolution failed to convert on three straight corner kicks in the third and fourth minutes, FCC transitioned the game to the New England end and brought the heat.
Cincinnati went up 1-0 on a breakout from their own end in the 11th minute. Luciano Acosta began the breakout and connected with midfielder Yuya Kubo on a dead run down the right flank. Kubo made a cross through the box to attacker Dominique Badji, who outmaneuvered Andrew Farrell and shot it past keeper Djordje Petrovic for the first of three on the night.
In a strange twist of fortune, Badji tied the game 1-1 with an own goal in the 15th minute. Gustavo Bou fired a line drive from the top of the box that FCC keeper Roman Celentano deflected back into the penalty area. Badji inadvertently ran into the rebound and chased it across the goal line.
“Their goalkeeper could have been at fault for spilling the ball in front if the goal in creating the own-goal,” said Arena.
The Revs took a 2-1 lead in the 24th minute when Bou took a cross from Boateng in the penalty area. Bou pivoted and fired the ball inside the far post for his fourth of the season.
“He (Bou) did a good job and he was part of the two goals for sure,” said Arena. “He obviously scored on the second one and had the shot of the first one that created the goal.”
The Revolution were hampered early in the second half when Carles Gil and Latif Blessing picked up yellow cards in the 50th and 51st minute. Gil will miss next Saturday’s match at New York Red Bulls for yellow card accumulation.
FCC tied the game 2-2 in the 55th minute when Badij made a shift on center back Dave Romney in the penalty area and fired a low ball to the far post. Gil scored in stoppage time but the play was ruled offside.
“Dom is a great forward, I played with him in Nashville for two years,” said Revolution center back Dave Romney. “He is very good at stretching the game and that is kind of what they want to do.”