Superliga: Match 1

Superliga Group stage
7/13/08
vs. Santos (Mexico)
Result: W 1-0

The Revs opened up their first ever Superliga competition with an impressive performance over Mexican 2008 Clausura Champions Santos Laguna. Kheli Dube scored the loan goal of the match in the 70th minute on an assist from Steve Ralston. Sainey Nyassi had won the bi-line and put the ball in front of goal, and Ralston flicked it onto Dube who threaded it into the back of the net.

The performance was over-all very impressive. Dominating performances from Ralston and Joseph, helped the Revs secure the middle of the field. Their success was helped large in part by Nyassi's ability to stretch the Santos right hand side very thin. Nyassi bombed up and down the line taking on defenders and running Santos ragged.

Michael Parkhurst was uncharacteristically unsure of himself last night. Vuoso turned him around like a top, and Parkhurst's distribution was shocking. The slick passing, and great off-ball movement of Santos exposed a few of the Revolution defenders at times.

The turf seemed to slow down the Santos passing game, and slowed their ability to carve out passes, dribbling and shooting in the offensive third. The physicality of the Revs, and their sheer athleticism, really threw off Santos. Although Santos appeared to be the most impressive technically skilled team of the match, the Revolution out played them from whistle to whistle. They intimidated Santos, and ultimately the speed and Athleticism of a 19 year old Gambian carved through the Santos defense.

It will be interesting to see how they match up with Pachuca on Wednesday. I believe that if they come out with the same physical intensity that they will be able to get a good result against a team that is traveling across the country to play in just three days.