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Smith's late goal carries Revolution past Rapids

Sep 30, 2007 - 3:21 AM FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Khano Smith broke up a scoreless tie in the 88th minute to help the New England Revolution edge the Colorado Rapids, 1-0, on Saturday night.

Smith gathered a pass from midfielder Shalrie Joseph and raced down the left side from about 20 yards out.

As Smith entered the box, he fought off defenseman Facundo Erpen and sent a low kick between the legs of goalie Bouna Coundoul for the game's only tally.

"He (Erpen) started to clear so I saw I had a chance to get in front and win it so I did," Smith said. "I saw him (Coundoul) coming with his legs open and said that is going to be pretty hard to stop it with his legs open so I tried to put it through his legs and luckily it went in."

It was Smith's second goal of the year and second in his last three games.

"I know he [Smith] has great speed and once he had first touch he was in, he made a great first touch to keep the defender off and a great finish by him," said Joseph, who recorded his first assist since July 19.

With the victory, New England improves to 14-6-7 and remains four points back of D.C. United for the Eastern Conference lead and the MLS Supporter's Shield.

Matt Reis made three saves to record his 10th shutout of the season for the Revolution, who avenged a 3-0 loss to Colorado on August 16.

"We had control of the game, I thought we were the team trying to get a goal and trying to score and it seemed like they were just trying to hold on on the road," Reis said. "We obviously didn't play the best that we could of but we battled and are fortunate to get the win."

New England, despite playing without leading scorer Taylor Twellman, who is suffering from a strained groin, carried the play for much of the second half.

"It was possible he could have played but there was no point in taking the chance," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "I think we just wore them down with just sheer physical effort and presence, the pressure we put on them in the second half paid off."

In the 54th minute, Andy Dorman sent a ball that ricocheted off of several players and toward the net but Coundoul, from the seat of his pants, made the save.

In the 77th minute, Pat Noonan sent a ball over Coundoul, who had left his net, but the oncoming Adam Cristman was tripped up by Jovan Kirovski and could not convert into the empty net.

"They did not have any opportunities and it was important for us to be smart and not give up a sloppy goal and we stayed smart and it opened up and Khano scored," defenseman Jay Heaps said.

Mehdi Ballouchy had two of the four shots on goal for the Rapids, who mustered nine shots total and just two corner kicks.

Colorado is now winless in their last five games and have scored just three goals in that span. The Rapids, who have not won in New England since 2002, hosts Toronto on October 7.