Dave Romney responded to a match-tying goal by scoring his first goal as a member of the Revolution in the 85th minute as New England defeated Charlotte FC 2-1 on Saturday night in Foxborough, Mass.
Romney, who was appearing in his 30th match with New England, was waiting at the back post and directed a header past Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina for the decisive tally.
Noel Buck scored earlier in the second half for the Revolution (14-6-10, 52 points), who played at home for the first time in nearly a month.
The outcome ended what had been a four-match winless stretch (0-1-3) for New England. Goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. made one save for the Revolution.
Karol Swiderski scored for Charlotte (7-11-12, 33 points), which went 0-2-3 in September. Kahlina made two saves.
Romney’s goal came off an assist from DeJuan Jones just after Swiderski scored in the 84th minute. The sequence began with a corner kick, and Romney placed the ball well out of the reach of a diving Kahlina.
Swiderski’s ninth goal of the season moved him within range of recording his second 10-goal campaign in as many years. It marked only the second goal in the last four road outings for Charlotte.
Buck’s goal, which was his third of the season, was assisted by Mark-Anthony Kaye in the 64th minute as the Revolution came out of intermission strong. Buck beat his defender on the left side and sent a shot across the goal crease for the tally.
Charlotte had the advantage in time of possession in the first half, but true to form this year, that didn’t translate to the scoring column. Plus, the only two first-half shots that were put on goal came from New England.
The Revolution swept both matches from Charlotte this season, winning by one goal each time.
–Field Level Media
