SANDY, Utah—Kei Kamara scored a goal and was almost at the corner flag celebrating before he heard the referee’s whistle for a foul he committed before the shot.
His strike was the only one that made it into the net in Saturday's 0-0 draw between the New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium, and Kamara thought it should have counted.
“I talked to him a little bit and he felt it was unfair because he created the movement,” said Revolution head coach Jay Heaps. “He checked to and then checked away so the contact was initiated by [RSL defender Aaron Maund].
“It was a good finish, but the hardest part was referee [Ismail Elfath] waited so long [to make the call]. That was what I think he was devastated for. He didn’t call it right away, but after he put it in the net."
Kamara has scored three goals since coming to the Revolution via a trade from the Columbus Crew and has eight goals on the year. Coming away with a draw on the road might be seen as a fair result for both clubs on the night, but coming away without a goal was disappointing for Kamara.
“It’s always frustrating because he wants to score goals when he steps on the field,” Heaps said.
In the first half, Kamara took out some of his frustration on the signage behind the goal after not being able to connect in and around the box. That act kept him on the crowd’s radar for the rest of the game, as he was booed lightly when touching the ball and cheered when he missed his target.
Kamara knew, however, that it was going to be a tough night and pushed through all 90 minutes at altitude.
“He’s had a big week this week going to the ESPYs,” Heaps said. “I think he came in with the right mindset and battled. Maund and [Real Salt Lake defender Justen Glad] are two guys that come up and throw their weight around, so Kei knew it was going to be a battle and he was up for the challenge.
“Unfortunately, the goal was called back, but he was around the box quite a bit.”
In a scoreless draw, it is usually the defense that gets the plaudits. On Saturday, though, it was a complete performance from New England, who posted their first shutout since May.
“It was a team effort defensively," Heaps said. "Not one guy didn’t put it in."
