Reis's stop saves a draw for Revolution

May 10, 2009|Associated Press

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Shalrie Joseph's goal in the 49th minute and Matt Reis's diving save in the closing seconds of stoppage time allowed the Revolution to escape with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire last night.

The Revolution (2-2-3, 9 points) were outplayed most of the match, but Joseph converted one of their few scoring opportunities. Jeff Larentowicz sent a low cross into the middle of the penalty area, where it deflected off Fire defender Wilman Condes's foot right to Joseph on the left side just outside the 6-yard box.

Joseph quickly settled the ball and ripped a right-footed shot inside the near post past goalkeeper Jon Busch for his second goal of the season.

New England got a boost when captain Steve Ralston, who missed two games with a right adductor strain, replaced forward Kheli Dube in the 59th minute.

Reis later preserved the draw with a diving save on a header by Patrick Nyarko, who was able to get a quality chance from 12 yards on a diagonal cross by Brandon Prideaux.

Conde had given the Fire (2-0-6, 12 points) a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute when he latched on to a loose ball at the top of the box after a corner kick by Cuauhtemoc Blanco. All three goals of Conde's career have been scored against the Revolution.

With their fifth consecutive draw, the Fire remained the lone unbeaten team in Major League Soccer, but squandered a lead for the second straight match.

Joseph's goal ended a 269-minute scoreless drought for New England.