Smith's strike vaults Revs over Metros

Youri Djorkaeff scored in the 59th minute, leaving the Gillette Stadium crowd in shocked silence, but the Revs then turned up the attacking pressure, getting goals in the 68th, 73rd and 83rd minutes to erase a two-goal deficit and move on to the final four of the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Substitute Khano Smith, who replaced the injured Marshall Leonard in the 23rd minute, provided the winner for the home side, who are looking to halt a two-year hex in the Eastern Conference Championship.

As with last weekend's first leg, weather played a major role Saturday night. Large portions of the field were covered with snow and slush, and with temperatures near freezing, the ball appeared to be rock solid: crosses fell well short of their intended recipients and both teams struggled to play the ball with pace.

In the 16th minute, Metros 'keeper Tony Meola sent a weak goal kick that was intercepted by Revolution forward Pat Noonan with no one in front of him. Metros defender Jason Hernandez stopped Noonan from running in alone on Meola by tugging on his jersey, and the Revs' calls for a card were denied, though referee Brian Hall did award the home side a free kick.

The Revs again took umbrage with a Hall decision on the half-hour mark as Metros defender Jeff Agoos appeared to handle a cross just inside the box. The Revs screamed for a penalty, but Hall again ignored their pleas, showing midfielder Daniel Hernandez a yellow card for dissent in the process.

The Revolution did establish themselves as the better side in the first half. In a strange sequence around the 25-minute mark, the Revs pinned the Metros back, but though the visitors couldn't manage to clear the ball past the pressing Revolution midfield, the Revs couldn't manage to get a shot on goal. Smith finished off the play by badly mis-hitting a shot.

Ten minutes later, Noonan finally provided the home side with a real scoring opportunity. Winger Steve Ralston started the play with a square ball to Clint Dempsey 25 yards from goal, and the 2004 Rookie of the Year sent Noonan in on goal with a through ball. Noonan seemed to have a huge window to shoot into, but Meola stuck out his left hand to deflect the ball wide of the far post.

Just before the hour mark, a two-goal swing put the MetroStars up one goal on the night and two on the series. At one end, Dempsey had a clear chance to even the series, but his low shot rang back off the far post.

The Metros immediately pushed out of their own end, Sergio Galvan Rey chipping the ball over the top for Djorkaeff. The former French international was in the clear after rookie defender Michael Parkhurst misjudged the ball's bounce, and after fighting off Parkhurst's challenge from behind, Djorkaeff curled the ball inside the far post to send the Metros' traveling support into a frenzy.

Shortly after the MetroStars goal, Revolution coach Steve Nicol made two attacking substitutions, replacing Hernandez with Jose Cancela and bringing on James Riley for Joe Franchino. The moves -- particularly the introduction of Cancela -- paid almost immediate dividends.

Cancela's attacking abilities changed the pace and tone of the game, putting the Metros on the back foot. The Uruguayan converted the pressure into the Revs' first goal of the series in the 68th minute, driving a shot past Meola after Taylor Twellman headed the ball down for him near the top of the box.

Just five minutes later, Cancela set up another Revolution goal, leveling the series for the home team. Twice in the three minutes preceding the goal, the Revs failed to connect on slowly rolling crosses through the box. The Revs won a corner both times, and on the second occasion they converted, as Cancela sent his service to the far post for Noonan. Meola flailed at the ball as it sailed through the box, and Noonan nodded the ball just inside the far post.

The celebrations weren't over then for the Revolution, who completed their comeback seven minutes from time through Smith. The Bermudan raced down the left side past his defender and cut inside. As Meola slid out to stop him, Smith fired a shot that rippled the net inside the far post.

After the third goal, the Revs settled back to protect against the inevitable Metros fight back. In the 87th minute, Joseph played the hero by heading a Djorkaeff header off the line just as the Frenchman was throwing his arms in the air to celebrate. The Metros had several more chances to send the series to extra time, including three consecutive corners near the end of nine minutes of stoppage time after Smith was forced from the field injured -- leaving the Revolution to end the match a man down -- but their efforts all went for naught.

MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Jose Cancela (New England Revolution)

Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.