FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Intensity echoed throughout Gillette Stadium for the full 90-plus minutes as the New England Revolution took down previously red-hot Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night, 1-0.
“You guys saw from minute one, the game was intense,” said Jalil Anibaba. “The tempo was extremely high, (and) they almost scored off the kickoff. We were all emotionally invested in this one – like we always are – but this one needed a little bit of extra motivation and emotion to be put into it.”
The Revs used that extra motivation to snap Kansas City’s seven-game unbeaten streak (5-0-2), as they hadn’t suffered a loss since their season opener in early March.
Sporting were also coming off a big shutout themselves in a 6-0 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend, but New England came into the match with a chip on their shoulder, particularly after suffering a rare loss in their last home match against FC Dallas two weeks ago.
“(Kansas City have) been in great form,” said Teal Bunbury, who scored the game’s only goal in the 44th minute. “We’ve been working hard on our mindset coming from that 2-2 draw against Columbus. Being back at home following our first loss in a long time, we wanted to make a statement, and I think it was a very positive game from everyone. Pumping each other up, working hard offensively and defensively, and I think that’s what we’re going to need for the rest of the year.”
The timing of Saturday night’s victory proved important for the Revs. After that loss to Dallas two weeks ago the Revs picked up a valuable road point in Columbus last weekend, and were hungry to capitalize on a chance to get three points both in front of their fans and against the league leaders.
“I think our team, definitely we fight and you can see it out there,“ said Diego Fagundez. “Today it was one of those hard games, but at the end of the day we come out with three points and that’s what matters right now.”
The Revs’ victory demonstrated that they have what it takes to compete with the top teams in MLS. They’re not shy to step up to a challenge, and take each week as a new chance to make a lasting impression, regardless of the result of the former week.
“Everybody understands that once we recover from the previous week, the next week starts and it’s full focus,” said Anibaba. “Full energy (is) put into what we’re doing and we’re able to leave unfortunate results knowing that we put everything into the week preparing for it. So when you do that, you can hold your head (high).”
With the confidence this win brings, the Revs now set their minds towards training this week, as they to prepare to head on the road next weekend to take on the Montreal Impact.
