Home Other Sports News New England Revolution Squeaks Pass Sporting Kansas City 2-1

New England Revolution Squeaks Pass Sporting Kansas City 2-1

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Photo Credit: Christopher Winslow

Foxborough, Mass.Forward Giacomo Vrioni had two goals in a span of four minutes in the first half to help New England Revolution(6-1-2; 20 pts.) to a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City(0-6-3; 3 pts.) on Saturday in night at Gillette Stadium in front of 19,281.

The Revolution extended its unbeaten streak to six games with the victory and reached the 20-point mark after nine games for the third time in club history.

Vrioni, making his second consecutive start, opened the scoring in the 31st minute on a right-footed smash with assists from Carles Gil and Emmanuel Boateng. The assist was Gil’s team-high fourth of this young season. Vrioni stroke gold again for the Revolution with his second goal in the 35th minute, securing a rebound after Gil had his shot denied by Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia.

Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic made two saves to collect his 12th MLS victory, while Sporting Kansas City’s Tim Melia made seven.

Johnny Russell scored for SKC, who remained winless and in last place in the Western Conference. They’ve been outscored 13-3 this season.

Down 2-0 at the break, Sporting Kansas City trimmed the deficit in half in the 50th minute. Daniel Salloi curled a free kick from the left wing to the far post, where Russell smoked it past Petrovic  for his first goal of the season.

Photo Credit: Christopher Winslow

Russell’s goal was Sporting Kansas City’s first since the fifth minute of a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders on March 25.

Sporting Kansas City was forced to play with 10 men after defender Andreu Fontas drew his second yellow card, an automatic red card, when he tripped forward Vironi just outside the penalty box in the 57th minute.

Sporting Kansas City’s best chance to equalize came in the 91st minute when Felipe Hernandez’s shot from a few feet inside the penalty box hit the post.

The Revolution controlled possession for 52.5% of the match and took 16 shots — nine on target — and completed 84.9 percent of their 538 passes.

Sporting Kansas City put just three of their eight shots on net.

New England’s home record now stands at 4-0-1 going into the match with FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium next Saturday, April 29 (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV; 98.5 The Sports Hub; 1260 AM Nossa Radio).