FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Revolution captured their first-ever SuperLiga game with a 1-0 victory against 10-man Santos Laguna on Sunday evening at Gillette Stadium.
Juan Pablo Rodriguez's elbow to Sainey Nyassi's head late in the first half gave the Revs a numerical advantage. It took until the 70th minute for Kheli Dube to give New England the lead on the scoreboard after Nyassi cut down the byeline and pulled his pass back for the Zimbabwean striker to tuck inside the far post.
The Revolution earned their win by pressing the tempo early and utilizing Nyassi's pace down the right side to unsettle the Mexican champions. The win marked the Revs' first competitive victory against a foreign opponent at Gillette Stadium and extended the team's unbeaten streak to five matches in all competitions.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol named a first-choice starting 11, but lost Taylor Twellman (hip flexor) and Mauricio Castro (groin) to injury. The injuries, and Santos' attacking fullbacks, meant the Revs lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Amaechi Igwe playing left back and Kheli Dube starting alongside Kenny Mansally at forward.
Santos Laguna selected a 4-4-2 formation designed to allow its fullbacks to surge up into the attack. Fernando Arce anchored the midfield, while veteran 'keeper Oswaldo Sanchez captained the side. Former Manchester City striker Matias Vuoso and Oribe Peralta comprised the strike force; Ecuadorian forward Christian Benitez was named among the substitutes.
The home side started on the front foot, perhaps catching the Mexican champions off guard with their pace on the flanks. Composed midfield passing at pace ruled in midfield as the Revs sought to dictate the tempo. Shalrie Joseph's blast over the bar, after a surging run from Steve Ralston, served to note New England's attacking intent.
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