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New England shocks FC Dallas

Sep 11, 2011 - 2:04 AM Foxborough, MA (Sports Network) - New England shocked FC Dallas, 2-0, for just its third victory since mid-May on Saturday at Gillette Stadium, and is still on the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

But all of a sudden, the Revolution can realistically talk about the playoffs.

Shalrie Joseph and Rajko Lekic scored as New England posted just its fifth win of the season, but it moved the Revolution to within nine points of one of the division's three guaranteed spots.

The difference between first and last in the East is just 13 points.

New England (5-11-12) also closed the gap in the overall standings for a place in the top 10 and a postseason spot, as it gave itself a realistic chance at a wildcard berth down the stretch.

FC Dallas (13-8-7) wasted a chance to overtake Seattle Sounders FC for second in the Western Conference and overall table. Dallas lost for the third time in its last five, and has just one win in that stretch.

The Revolution were coming off a 4-4 draw against the Philadelphia Union, when they blew a three-goal, second-half lead, but Shalrie Joseph scored inside 15 minutes for his ninth goal of the season to help the club turn the page.

Joseph headed Monsef Zerka's cross into the bottom-right corner in the 14th as New England took the lead for the 12th time in their last 14 games, and it was enough to help the club snap their seven-game winless run.

Lekic added a clinching goal in the 85th, waiting on the far post for a headed on pass from Ryan Cochrane to fire first-time into the bottom-right corner for his sixth goal of the season.

The Revolution posted their fifth shutout of the season, all with Matt Reis in goal.