July 22, 2007 – Revolution 3:3 Houston (Att.: 14,606). MLS Cup final preview

The Revolution were leading the Eastern Conference and the Dynamo in first place in the Western Conference, entering the match with a 10-game (8-0-2) unbeaten streak. Both teams were struggling with a crowded schedule and injuries, some players (plus Revolution coach Steve Nicol) having participated in the MLS All-Star team’s 2-0 win over Celtic FC in Denver on July 19, 2007. Pat Noonan snapped the Dynamo’s MLS-record 726-minute shutout streak with a 32^nd-minute chip over Pat Onstad. Then, five goals were scored in the first 18 minutes of the second half. Dwayne DeRosario’s 49^th-minute goal equalized. Taylor Twellman’s 51^st-minute score restored the Revolution’s advantage. Brian Ching (60^th and 61^st) gave Houston a 3-2 lead. Shalrie Joseph scored the final goal on a 67^th-minute penalty kick, his initial attempt failing, referee Kevin Stott ordering retake because of encroachment.

“It was a roller-coaster game,” Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. “At halftime we could have been three ahead, we had three fantastic chances that we never took. The heat got to us and we made a lot of mistakes. The heat was draining.

“You could say both defenses played poorly. Both teams had players who played on Thursday and were tired.”

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY