Revs throttled 4-0 in La La Land

The best start in New England Revolution history took a detour Sunday night in Los Angeles as the Revs were pounded by LAFC 4-0. The night started with concern for New England when the lineup dropped and Revs captain Carles Gil was listed on the bench. Replacing Gil in the #10 role was Gustavo Bou who just returned 2 weeks ago while awaiting his green card in Argentina. The game started slowly with both teams figuring each other out. That's when in the 14th minute Timothy Tillman forced Gustavo Bou to dangle a leg and Tillman drew the contact drawing a penalty kick. Stepping up to the spot was red hot striker Dennis Bouanga. Bouanga drilled the ball right down the middle beating Revs goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. The rest of the half saw LAFC create the better chances but were unable to score. LAFC started the 2nd half in the front foot and Bouanga again was able to get behind Revs defender Dejuan Jones and make it 2-0 for LAFC. Bruce Arena then was forced to make changes bringing in Carles Gil, Giacomo Vrioni and Ema Boateng who replaced, Dylan Borrero, Henry Kessler and Gustavo Bou. Revs were unable to create much of anything and opened up a bit. The Black and Gold made the Revs pay scoring 2 more goals the last several minutes of the game with Timothy Tillman pick pocketing ex LAFC man Latif Blessing and beating Petrovic near post. LAFC's last goal came with Stipe Biuk finishing a low cross into the box sealing the deal for the victors. For New England Djordje Petrovic made 8 saves in defeat. With no Petrovic LAFC would have surely scored 5+ goals. New England will have to do a bit of soul searching in defeat as they host Nashville next Saturday night. To rub salt in the wound a bit Carles Gil who came on in the 63rd minute was subbed off at the 90+1 mark appearing to reaggravate a knock he sustained earlier in the week. Opinion.....Revs looked outclassed by the Shield and Cup winners. Their we're minimal patterns of play and they gave away the ball cheaply all over the park. Bruce Arena needs to figure out what his best 11 is and build on the 6 points out of 9 to start the year.