Division A Game of the Week: 1996 San Jose vs 1996 New England
A fairly pivotal early season game for both sides as the Clash looked to remain perfect on the season while the Revs needed to earn crucial standings points in a tough road test. Both teams are coming off wins in the Open Cup, both are in reasonably good health, but both teams are also dealing with suspensions, hampering the effectiveness of both teams.
2' (NE): The Revs are putting the pressure on early, but the Clash defense holds firm.
14 (SJ)': A chance forms up, but good defensive discipline results in Paul Bravo getting caught offside.
17' (SJ): A hard-hit low cross flies into the six-yard area, but no one can get a foot on it.
26' (SJ): The Clash get a good build-up but the final pass to Troy Dayak goes astray.
36': 1996 San Jose Clash player shown a yellow card
44' (SJ): A clever move gives Paul Bravo a yard of space, but his shot lacks power and New England keeper Jim St. Andre makes the easy save.
HT: 1996 San Jose Clash 0 - 0 1996 New England Revolution
San Jose rode out the early push and have dominated play so far, but have nothing to show for it.
47' (SJ): The Clash see a chance wasted as Eduardo Espinoza goes for the shot rather than make the extra pass to an open teammate. The shot misses.
66' (NE): The Revs finally get a small chance when Clash goalie Dave Salzwedel and one of his defenders get into a misunderstanding, allowing Robert Ukrop a chance, but he shoots wildly, sending it wide of the goal and wasting the chance.
75' (SJ): A swift raid goes down the wing. The cross finds John Doyle in space. Doyle then hits the ball hard into the roof of the net -
GOAL!
79': 1996 New England Revolution player shown a yellow card
83' (SJ): Jim St. Andre makes a hurried kick, but it falls to Eduardo Espinoza just 20 yards out. Espinoza strikes it low and it thumps into the bottom corner of the net -
GOAL!
90' (SJ): Two defenders are beaten on the edge of the penalty area. Doyle volleys a shot, but it's blocked by a defender.
90+' (SJ): Attacker and defender jump for the ball in the box in a heading duel. Both come down hard, attacker especially. Clash players appeal for a call, but are turned down.
FT: 1996 San Jose Clash 2 - 0 1996 New England Revolution
The Clash dominate the ball, but the Revs never really let them have great chances to convert. However, what few excellent chances San Jose had, they were able to cash in on and they stay perfect so far this season.
| 1996 San Jose | | 1996 New England |
Doyle, 75'
Espinoza, 83' | GOALS | |
| 67% | POSS | 33% |
| 1 | YELLOWS | 1 |
| 0 | REDS | 0 |