Pros

Cristman wins it for Revolution
March 16, 2007

Adam Cristman scored the game's only goal in the 79th minute to lead the Revolution to victory over Pioneros de Cancun on Thursday evening. Cristman converted a cross by Khano Smith, who was sent off just minutes later, for his second goal in as many games on the trip.

Christman was paired with Taylor Twellman in the second half after both men came on as half-time replacements, for Ryan Solle and Willie Sims. Nicol was pleased with the developing partnership:

"They played well as a pair. Individually, they both did some good things during the game. Obviously Adam (Cristman) got the cherry on the top with the goal near the end."

A scoreless first half saw neither team dominate possession, although the Revs held a slight edge in the play. Their best chance came when Joe Franchino intercepted a wayward Pioneros pass near the edge of the center circle before playing in Miguel Gonzalez behind the Pioneros defense. The native of nearby Cozumel collected the pass and chipped a shot over goalkeeper, Nestor Alvarez, but the shot drifted wide.

Nicol made nine substitutions at the break and, in the second half, the Revs took control. In the 59th minute, Jeff Larentowicz saw his header from Steve Ralston's corner flash wide. Twelve minutes later, Andy Dorman's free-kick from 23 yards out went through the Pioneros wall but was saved by substitute goalkeeper, Erick Ramirez.

In the 74th minute, Taylor Twellman headed wide at the far post from Dorman's corner. On the Revs' next attack, Twellman's cross from the left found Jay Heaps on the far post, but the defender's header was punched over the crossbar by the home side's third keeper of the game, Javier Hermenegildo. On the ensuing corner kick, Larentowicz sent another header over the net.

Pioneros had their first chance of the evening in the 78th minute when Pedro Noyola broke in on Matt Reis, but his shot from just inside the corner of the penalty area was high. On Reis' resulting restart, Shalrie Joseph found Smith on the left wing. The Bermudan beat two men before crossing the ball to Cristman for the game's only goal.

Smith blotted his copy book four minutes later when was ejected from the game. Smith received an initial caution for delay of game and then was shown an immediate red card for dissent.

"We were pleased with how we went about our business,” said Nicol. “The field was very bumpy which made it difficult to connect passes, but we showed good mental strength to not let the conditions affect our performance. We stuck at it and went about it in the right manner throughout."

The Revolution will play two more matches to conclude the pre-season schedule, traveling to New Orleans to face CD Olimpia (Honduras) on Sunday 25 March at 5pm CT (6pm ET) and the New Orleans Shell Shockers of the USL on Wednesday 28 March at 7pm CT (8pm ET).

Revolution: Brad Knighton (Matt Reis 46), Marshall Leonard (Avery John 46), Amaechi Igwe (Andy Dorman 46), James Riley, Tony Lochhead (Jay Heaps 46), Miguel Gonzalez (Khano Smith 46), Shalrie Joseph, Joe Franchino (Jeff Larentowicz 46), Wells Thompson (Steve Ralston 46), Ryan Solle (Adam Cristman 46), Willie Sims (Taylor Twellman 46)