Football
2018 Major League Soccer, Regular Season
NYC 
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FT
 NE
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Reuters 6y

New England Revolution hand NYCFC its first home loss

The New England Revolution opted for a defensive strategy, waiting for a counterattack Wednesday in their contest against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. And it worked to perfection as the Revolution came away with the 1-0 road win thanks to a 71st-minute goal from Brian Wright.

For the second straight time out, NYCFC had a chance to gain ground on the two teams in front of them in the Eastern Conference, and once again the team was unable to do so. What's more, NYCFC lost for the first time at home this season, falling to 10-1-3.

Meanwhile, it was a huge win for New England, which came into the match with only one road win in 12 attempts this year. It also kept the Revolution in the playoff hunt, moving the team just three points behind Montreal for the sixth and final playoff spot in the East.

New England took the lead despite having little to no offensive flow in the second half, as the game finished with NYCFC holding a 28-11 shot advantage.

Revolution midfielder Cristian Penilla came into the NYCFC penalty area from the left side and launched a shot that New York City goalie Sean Johnson deflected. The ball went right to Wright, who first-timed it home for the game's lone goal.

NYCFC had five solid chances to score in the first 20 minutes but came away empty. Brad Knighton made three saves in the Revolution goal, while the other two times the ball was pushed wide.

The action was decidedly one-sided in the first 25 minutes, but New England had its best chance of the half when Wright hit a laser from 14 yards out with the ball blasting off the post and out of trouble.

Knighton finished with five saves while Johnson stopped four shots.

NYCFC returns to action Saturday at home against DC United. The Revolution are off until a Sept. 15 game at LAFC.

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