Revs shut out by Cruzeiro in friendly

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By Danny Picard
CSNNE.com

FOXBORO --It didnt count in the MLS standings, and the New EnglandRevolution will sleep better on Sunday night knowing so, after losing toBrazilian club Cruzeiro EC 3-0 at Gillette Stadium.

The friendly match marks the last match the Revolution willplay until June 27, when they resume league play at home against the ChicagoFire.

Until then, the Revs will have to sit with the fact thattheyve been outscored 6-0 in their last two games entering the World Cupbreak. But at least they can go into that break knowing they put up a bettereffort in this friendly than their last friendly, a 4-0 loss to Portuguese clubSL Benfica at Gillette on May 19.

Still, a loss is a loss, and the difference on Sunday nightwas each teams play in the final third. Cruzeiro finished, and New Englanddidnt.

The biggest thing was what was going on in the finalthird, said Revolution coach Steve Nicol after the game. I think we gotourselves forward just as much as they did. We just couldnt produce anythingin the final third, and they did.

I think we competed. The score line would suggest that itwas pretty easy, but I dont think it was an easy game for them. So therespositives to be taken out of it.

Cruzeiro forward Welington Paulista did all of the damage onhis own Sunday night against the Revs, scoring all three goals in the match.His first came in the 24th minute following a New England defensive breakdownthat allowed Jonathan to send a long lead pass up the middle through severalRevs players, right on the mark to Paulista, who beat Revolution goalkeeperMatt Reis with a quick deke to the right.

Paulista added the second goal in the 49th minute, as he puthome a corner kick from the left corner with his right foot. He then completedthe hat trick in the 83rd minute, putting a header into the net after ThiagoRibeiro made a nice cross pass out front from the right wing.

The second goals a terrible goal, said Nicol. Werebasically giving them it. The first goal was avoidable. But the third goal wasjust a great goal.

Danny Picard is on Twitter at http:twitter.comDannyPicard

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