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Gift made of ugly tie
Revolution left at franchise low
By Frank Dell’Apa
Globe Correspondent

FOXBOROUGH — The Revolution have figured out several ways to tie games this season. But they have struggled to find ways to win.

After a 2-2 tie with visiting Orlando City SC on Saturday night, the Revolution (1-2-7, 10 points) have compiled their fewest amount of victories over the opening 10 games in their 20-year history.

Most of the Revolution’s ties have been determined in the late going. They have drawn four times after either rallying or surrendering leads from the 89th minute on Saturday, allowing a 90th-minute goal by Carlos Rivas in extending their winless streak to five games.

The Revolution squandered the lead after an seventh-minute goal by Diego Fagundez, then regained the advantage on substitute Juan Agudelo’s first goal of the season in the 71st minute, before reverting to their fit-to-be-tied form before a crowd of 25,203.

“Each tie has been completely different in how it feels,’’ Revolution coach Jay Heaps said. “I mean, tonight we’re disappointed because we let it slip. All of them have different complexities and hurt in different ways.

“Look, no one’s happy we’re tying these games, and we should win. Like, tonight, we really wanted these 3 points and you could tell by the energy of the guys, right from the beginning, opening whistle, was a team that really wanted these 3 points.’’

“At times we could have done more, but got to credit these guys [Orlando City] – they didn’t have many chances, but, when they got their chances, they took them and you’ve got to credit that.’’

When the Revolution visited Orlando City on April 17, the match finished tied, 2-2, both teams scoring controversial goals in injury time.

There were no controversies this time. The Revolution had the best chance to break the tie during added time, Agudelo heading off the underside of the crossbar.

By then, the Revolution had lost starters Lee Nguyen and Je-Vaughn Watson to injury, with left back Donnie Smith (hamstring) moved to a forward position to limit his defensive responsibilities.

Nguyen and Watson were replaced for “precautionary’’ reasons, according to Heaps, their status undetermined for the Revolution’s visit to the Los Angeles Galaxy next Sunday.

Orlando City (2-2-4, 10 points), which was playing without Brazilian midfielder Kaká (knee), regenerated its attack in the final minutes, with Rivas and former Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista joining Cyle Larin up front.

The Revolution took the lead on Fagundez’s team-high third goal of the season. Captain Jose Gonçalves started the scoring sequence, lofting a pass to Fagundez on the right wing. Fagundez advanced toward the penalty area, playing a give-and-go with Nguyen, then roofing a shot past Joe Bendik.

Orlando had a chance off a cross two minutes later, Antonio Nocerino firing high from the left side of the penalty area. Kevin Molino tied the score in the 30th minute, finishing from close range with a left-footer unmarked on the left side of the penalty area. Adrian Winter set up the goal, outmanuevering Smith on the right wing and crossing to the back post, Revolution defenders Andrew Farrell and Watson challenging Larin, leaving Molino alone.

Agudelo replaced Femi Hollinger-Janzen in the 70th minute and, a minute later, scored his first goal of the season. Fagundez started the sequence, finding Nguyen running through the middle of the field, Nguyen then laying off to Kelyn Rowe on the right wing. Rowe sent a low cross toward the goal area, Agudelo finishing at the near post.

Rivas then finished a Larin cross, deflecting an attempted clearance by substitute right back London Woodberry past Bobby Shuttleworth.

“Collectively, we still have to be better on crossed balls,’’ Heaps said. “That’s been a little bit of an Achilles’ heel at times. We do well for three or four weeks and have a let down.’’

The Revolution have had lesser point totals after 10 games, but have never failed to win at least two games by this point in the season.

“We knew they were coming here to just sit and counter, and that’s what they did,’’ Gonçalves said.

“Game after game, here at home, we knew that’s the game plan of the other team. It’s also very difficult — when you attack you have to be aware to defend as quick as possible and get back behind the ball.

“It’s going to be a long week, obviously. When you draw or lose, or don’t win at home, it’s a long week.’’