Revolution strikes twice early, takes down Atlanta to stay in second

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Giacomo Vrioni scored his fifth goal of the season, Matt Polster also found the net in an early outburst and the New England Revolution held on for a 2-1 victory over visiting Atlanta United on Wednesday night.

Dorde Petrovic made 10 saves for New England (11-4-7, 40 points), all of which proved critical when Machop Chol scored deep in stoppage time for Atlanta (9-6-8, 35 points).

Atlanta led 24 to 16 in total shots and 11 to 6 in efforts on target but saw a two-match win streak snapped in their second game since losing leading scorer Giorgos Giakoumakis.

Chol's second goal of the season prevented Atlanta from being shut out for a third time in four away matches.

Polster put the Revs in front after only four minutes. Brandon Bye created the chance when he got free on the right and crossed toward the penalty spot.

An Atlanta defender tried to clear the danger with an off-balance header. But the ball fell to Polster just beyond the penalty area, where he unleashed a powerful low strike that darted past goalkeeper Brad Guzan and inside the bottom left corner.

Carles Gil was the orchestrator of Vrioni's goal five minutes later when he collected a ball just outside his own penalty area, put the ball through the legs of defender Santiago Sosa to find space, then played a perfect through ball into Vrioni's path.

Guzan charged off his line, and Vrioni rounded him on the dribble before finishing from close range.

Atlanta had the better chances from there but failed to capitalize until Chol scored an opportunistic goal at the near post that was too little too late.

Petrovic saved Brooks Lennon's running volley at the near post in the 26th minute, and three long-range efforts from Thiago Almada between the start of the second half and the 70th minute.

But the Revs goalkeeper's best stop came in the 71st minute when he somehow recovered to his back post to keep out Juanjo Purata's powerful header.

Derrick Etienne Jr. and Chol also missed the target from promising positions on the left side of the penalty area during the second half.