Due to international call-ups, both New England and Houston fielded makeshift teams for Thursday’s MLS game in Texas. But it was the Revs who showed greater depth in their 2-0 win thanks to the continued good form of supplemental draft pick and stand-in striker Kheli Dube.
“He’s holding it. He’s moving well,” Revs’ coach Steve Nicol said of the Zimbabwean Dube, who registered a goal and an assist, and who leads the Revs’ stats this season with four goals and two assists in 12 games (five starts). “He’s putting the ball in the net. We really can’t ask for any more from him.”
Meanwhile goalkeeper Matt Reis, writes Chris Elliott, “defended his territory with the tenacity of a junkyard dog.” Reis, who saved a penalty kick from Stuart Holden, acknowledged that his team is far ahead in both the Eastern Conference and overall MLS standings, but without having played sensational soccer. “We’ve done it in a not very glamorous fashion,” said Reis. “We’ve been effective at times. We’ve had timely goals. We’ve played very well on the road. I don’t think anyone is going to take the tape of the game and put it up as one of the best-played soccer games, but we’re effective on the road.”