FOXBOROUGH — The Revolution’s late-season playoff run stayed on track as they took a 3-1 win over New York City FC before a crowd of 23,235 on Saturday night.
The Revolution (8-12-9, 33 points) moved within a point of sixth-place Orlando for the final Eastern Conference playoff place, also gaining momentum in preparation for a visit to FC Dallas for the US Open Cup final Tuesday. NYCFC (12-9-8, 44 points) fell out of first place.
Juan Agudelo (21st minute), Lee Nguyen (42d), and Diego Fagundez (58th) scored as the Revolution’s 4-4-2 alignment continued to prove effective. The Revolution switched the two-striker setup for a 0-0 tie at San Jose on Aug. 23, and the team has been transformed offensively in last four games.
This was the Revolution’s highest scoring output since a 3-1 win over Columbus on July 9 and second straight multiple-goal game.
The Revolution also altered their defensive tactics, relying on Agudelo to initiate the high-pressure approach. The changes paid off as NYCFC was unable to play out of the back and through Andrea Pirlo, as it did in a 1-0 win over the Revolution on July 6.
“I think it was the most tired I’ve been in any first half in my life, the way we were pressing,’’ Agudelo said. “It was tough, but we were up for the task and we knew what was at stake, and I’m not trying to go home early in November.’’
Agudelo scored his fifth goal of the season, placing an open shot from close range into the far side of the net off a Fagundez feed. The sequence started on a free kick, Kelyn Rowe drawing a foul from Jefferson Mena.
Then, less than a minute after the kickoff, Agudelo capitalized on a Mena turnover to go in alone on Josh Saunders, who blocked the shot. The Revolution continued to threaten off New York turnovers, Agudelo and Fagundez having shots saved.
“I’m happy we got the win and I scored,’’ Agudelo said. “But I should have had more goals.’’
Rowe set up the second goal, advancing on the right and sending a low cross. Fagundez dummied the pass, Nguyen controlling possession, hesitating, and finishing in the 42d minute.
NYCFC added R.J. Allen as a second-half replacement for Jason Hernandez at right back, Allen sending a cross for Frank Lampard’s 49th-minute goal.
“That was a gut-punch,’’ Revolution coach Jay Heaps said. “But I liked our reaction. No one put their heads down. We knew we were going to be in a fight with them. If we give up one there let’s make sure we get back.
“I look at their team, what Pirlo, Lampard, and [David] Villa do. If you don’t stop them, you’re in trouble. We followed them all around the field and Lampard still popped up on the score sheet.
“You can’t stop just those three. They can beat you in a lot of ways. You can’t just say, hey, these are the three guys and we’re going to clamp down. You have to be mindful of where they’re going to be. The way we defended against them was excellent for the 90 minutes. I hate giving up goals but if you’re going to get broken down and teams are going to play you off the field, tip your hat to them. But we’ve given up some soft goals.’’
Fagundez finished from the penalty arc after an Agudelo shot had been blocked in the 58th minute, his fourth goal of the season and first since April 30. The sequence started with a Rowe steal and through ball to Nguyen.
“It’s nice because I think in the midfield we’re getting a lot of touches, where in some games I felt like I wasn’t getting much of the ball,’’ Fagundez said of the 4-4-2 formation. “I feel like we’re getting double the amount of touches. You see the confidence of this team, the way we celebrated the goals, we’re a group.’’
