FOXBOROUGH — Revolution all-time leading scorer Taylor Twellman returned to promote Concussion Awareness Night on Saturday night. And the Revolution capitalized on the first career hat trick by current leading scorer Kei Kamara, in taking a 4-0 win over Orlando City SC, pulling within 4 points of a playoff place.
Kamara converted in the 25th, 75th, and 89th minutes, improving his total to 11 goals this season and 102 for his MLS career, one more than the total of Twellman, who sustained what turned out to be a career-ending concussion in 2008.
Teal Bunbury added an injury-time goal off a feed from substitute Krisztian Nemeth, making his debut, as the Revolution (9-12-5, 32 points) improved their home shutout streak to 281 minutes.
Orlando (8-12-7, 31 points) struggled as Kaká, playing his first game at Gillette since performing for Brazil against Mexico in a 2007 friendly match, failed to find space in midfield and Dominic Dwyer had a first-half shot saved by Cody Cropper.
Chris Tierney captained the Revolution after having been benched for five successive games, former captain Lee Nguyen returning to the lineup and assisting on every goal.
“With Chris we’re trying to find the right matchups and where we think he’s going to be the most dangerous for us,’’ Revolution coach Jay Heaps said. “So, tonight I thought this was a tailor-made game for him. In terms of captains, I like having a shared load.’’
Nguyen, who had missed two games with injury after 62 successive starts, also scored a late first-half goal that was disallowed after a Video Assistant Referee review.
“[Nguyen] is a key piece for us,’’ Heaps said. “Every time he steps on the field. I could tell this week and the way he trained, he was going to have a big night.’’
The Revolution, who improved their home unbeaten streak to four games, played without Tony Delamea (Slovenia) and Je-Vaughn Watson (Jamaica), who were on international duty and will return for next Saturday’s match against Montreal. The Revolution, who have not lost a September home game since Sept. 8, 2013, have seven games scheduled this month.
“I think there’s something about September weather in New England and we always respond to it,’’ Tierney said. “We’ve made runs in the past and we’re going to need to go on another one this year. We’re not happy with the position we’ve put ourselves in but if we get things rolling in the right direction and get performances from guys, then we’ll have a chance.’’
Kamara opened the scoring with a leaping finish on the edge of the goal area off a Scott Caldwell cross. The sequence began as Giles Barnes made a sliding play to prevent a Revolution throw-in, but took himself out of the play as Caldwell and Nguyen played a give and go, Caldwell going in alone on the right of the penalty area.
Other Revolution hat tricks have been completed by Alberto Naveda, Chris Brown, Pat Noonan, Zach Schilawski, Kheli Dube, and Twellman (three).
“I’ve played this game for a while and to get a hat trick there, it’s really special,’’ Kamara said. “I’m honored for my teammates, it’s a great team win but I’m going to say it’s one of those days I’m not going to forget for the rest of my life.’’
