Magee's free kick wins reserve opener
April 20, 2008 (Official Game Summary)
A second half goal by midfielder Mike Magee gave the New York Red Bulls reserves a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution's reserves at Giants Stadium in New York's first MLS Reserve League match in 2008.
The Red Bulls had the first scoring opportunity of the match when forward Oscar Echeverry was open on the left side of the box before centering it to an on-rushing John Wolyniec, who hit it over the bar in the 12th minute.
Fourteen minutes later, the Revolution almost went ahead. Argenis Fernandez hit a left-footed ball into the box to Joe Germanese, who cut it back to Rob Valentino. Valentino blasted a shot that beat goalkeeper Zach Thornton but slammed off the crossbar.
Before the half, both teams exchanged a couple of quality chances. In the 37th minute, Wolyniec ran into the box and hit a left-footed shot towards the far post that goalkeeper Brad Knighton punched away. Two minutes later, Wells Thompson slid the ball to Fernandez, who rocketed a shot just over the top left corner of the goal.
The hosts went ahead six minutes into the second half. After Wolyniec was fouled on the right side of the penalty box, Magee stepped up and hit a curling 20-yard shot over the wall and into the top right corner of the net.
New England pressed for an equalizer and almost got it in the 56th minute when Fernandez was able to get onto a loose ball in the penalty box and shot it past the right side of the goal. Moments later, New York had a good chance when Wolyniec and Echeverry played a give-and-go at the top of the box and Wolyniec directed a low shot at Knighton.
Fernandez nearly equalized four minutes from full time when he went in on goal. However, Thornton dove to his left to block Fernandez's shot. Shortly after, Sam Brill was able to connect on a header off a Revolution corner kick but Thornton again was there for the save.
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