Mansally, Revs again thwart Red Bulls

New England extends unbeaten streak against rival to 11 games

Former Rev Khano Smith (right) played against his old 'mates for the first time. (M. Stobe/Getty)

Shalrie Joseph shielded Luke Sassano and chipped the ball over the top of the Red Bulls' backline where Mansally outraced Kevin Goldthwaite and nodded home his first goal of the season.

It appeared that Khano Smith, on his Red Bulls debut and against his former club, would be the hero for the home side when he sent a low cross off Jay Heaps for an own goal in the 35th minute.

The Red Bulls improved to 8-3-3 overall in home openers, are now unbeaten in six in a row, but failed to snap a three-year winless streak against New England.

Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis was a late scratch after suffering "pain and swelling in his right knee," according to a New England spokesperson. Replacing Reis, who is scheduled to have a scan on Monday, was Brad Knighton, who was making his MLS debut.

Dane Richards immediately pressed Knighton into action when, after being played behind the New England back four, he dribbled inside the 18-yard box and fired a shot that Knighton dived to his right to stop in the 12th minute.

As was the case in last week's 3-0 drubbing in Seattle, the Red Bulls again looked disorganized in the first half. But after dodging a few bullets, New York took the lead in the 35th minute. And it was Smith who came back to punish his former team.

Receiving the ball from Mac Kandji on the left, Smith attempted a low cross, but it deflected off Heaps and into the net to put the Red Bulls in front 1-0.

Moments prior to the goal, New England had three quality scoring chances, but couldn't convert. In the 29th minute, Joseph burst up the middle of the field and fed Wells Thompson at the top of the 18, but Danny Cepero came off his line to make the save.

On the half hour, Kheli Dube tapped Chris Tierney's cross wide at the edge of the six-yard box and two minutes later Dube stripped Smith deep in the Red Bulls defensive third and Mansally took a shot from 16 yards out that Cepero stopped.

The Revs nearly equalized Joseph flicked on a deep throw by Darrius Barnes toward the far post. But no one was there to tap the ball in on 74 minutes.

One minute later, Angel fired a low shot from the right edge of the six-yard box, but it rolled just wide of the far post.

After Mansally's late equalizer, Sassano came close to scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner, but his low shot from the top of the 18-yard box was wide of the right post.

With several players unavailable because of international duty, suspensions and injury, Osorio made six changes to the team that suffered an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Seattle Sounders FC last week.

Rookie Jeremy Hall, who was a substitute last week, made his first MLS start. Carlos Mendes, who was ineffective as an outside back last week, slid over to central defense alongside Goldthwaite, who replaced Mike Petke and Danleigh Borman got the nod at left back.

After serving the final game of a three-game ban last week, Smith made his Red Bulls debut, starting on the left side of the midfield. The combination of Sassano and Sinisa Ubiparipovic, who started in the MLS Cup Final, were Osorio's choice in central midfield, while Dane Richards started on the right.

Juan Pablo Angel and Mac Kandji partnered up front.

Nicol, meanwhile, used the same lineup he unveiled against San Jose with the exception of Reis.

The Revolution boss made one change at the half, bringing on Amaechi Igwe for Sainey Nyassi, who left as a precaution because he has pre-existing hamstring condition.

Osorio made his first change in the 77th minute, bringing on Dominic Oduro for Smith. It was Oduro's Red Bulls' debut.

As expected, the game between the rivals was heated with referee Alex Prus handing out five yellow cards.

The Red Bulls, who head to Chicago next Sunday, squandered a golden chance for three points, while the Revs, who play host to FC Dallas next Saturday in their home opener at Gillette Stadium, now have four points from two road games to open the season.

Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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