The New England Revolution began their defense of their SuperLiga title tonight with a 4-2 victory over the Mexican team, Santos Laguna.  This is the third year of the SuperLiga, which is a tournament between 4 American and 4 Mexican teams to determine the best team in North America.  Last year during SuperLiga, the Revs beat Santos Laguna 1-0 in the opening round.

An injury plagued Revolution team came up with the win.  Taylor Twellman missed his second straight game.  He is still suffering whip lash like symptoms after getting punched in the face last August.  Shalrie Joseph was out with a sprained knee and will rest for about a week.  He had previously played every minute of the Rev’s 12 games in 2009 and leads New England in both goals (5) and assists (4).  Captain Steve Ralston left the game in the 38^th minute with a right hamstring injury.  Kevin Alston also left the game with a hamstring injury after the first half.   Sainey Nyassi was dragged off the field in the 88^th minute.  These are big losses as Ralston, Twellman, and Joseph are all in the top 10 in scoring percentage.

Jeff Larentowicz began the scoring for the Revolution.  In the 38^th minute, he made a beautiful shot well behind the box, just out of the reach of the goalie.  Santos tied it up early in the second half on an unassisted goal by Matias Vuoso.  The Revs gave up the ball in the box and goalie Matt Reis had no chance.  They then took the lead 4 minutes later, in the 55^th minute, when Juan Pablo Rodriguez scored from the top of the box.  Matias Vuoso picked up the assist.  The lead was short lived as the Revolution tied it up 5 minutes after that.  Kenny Mansally scored the unassisted goal.  Jay Heaps brought it up, passed it to Sainey Nyassi who passed it to Kheli Dube whose shot was deflected and Mansally drained it.  To continue the whirlwind of scoring, just 3 minutes later, the Revs took the lead.  Mansally started it off with a cornerkick, which fell at Dube’s feet who passed it to Jay Heaps who scored the winning goal.  The Revs sealed the victory with an insurance goal in the 82^nd minute.  Mansally had a free kick to Dube who found the back of the net.

Tempers flared during the rain soaked affair.  Six yellow cards were distributed, but it could have been more.  For Santos Leguna, Osmar Mares, Vincent Vuoso, and Walter Jimenez picked up fouls.  Dube, Emanuel Osei, and Pat Phelan were given cards for the Revs.  Osei was given a red card in last week’s loss to the Kansas City last weekend.  He will be suspended for the Revolution’s next league match, July 4^th against the Galaxy.  The tension came to a head during stoppage time after the second half when Laguna Johnny Garcia punched Phelan in the face away from the ball right before a Revolution free kick.  Phelan left the game and seemed to be alright during a post game interview.

With the win, the Revolution improve to 4-0-0 against Mexican teams in official play.  All 4 matches have been part of SuperLiga and have taken place at Gillette Stadium.  The Revs continue the tournament on Wednesday against the Kansas City Wizards (MLS) and then on Sunday against Atlas (MEX).

-Becs