SuperLiga: Revs beat classless Atlante

JULY 30
Atlante 0-1 New England (Gillette Stadium)
Security was brought on the field at the conclusion of the New England Revolution's 1-0 over Mexican club Atlante to break up fights instigated by a completely classless Atlante team.

New England midfielder Shalrie Joseph headed home the only goal of the match in the 30th minute, but the second half was dominated by cheap shot after cheap shot by Atlante.

Frustrated by a superior team, Atlante resorted to cheap fouls late in the second half, and the two teams nearly came to blows after Shalrie Joseph went down from an apparent low blow. Referee Carlos Batres (read: asshat) completely lost control of the match, as he was unwilling to show anyone the door despite several oppotunities until the 87th minute when he gave Atlante's Luis Rey his walking papers.

After the whistle, the pushing a shoving began, and all hell broke loose when both Jay Heaps and Chris Albright were punched by Atlante players. On the replay it was clear that Heaps was punched by Atlante douchebag keeper Frederico Villar. But inexplicably Jay Heaps was shown a red card, but Villar was not. Also shown red cards were Atlante thug Alan Zamora and Luis Venegas.

Atlante should be barred from the tournament in the future for their dispicable antics. Since the tournament is put on by Soccer United Marketing, the marketing arm of MLS, it is impossible to sanction or suspend players; however, SUM should petition CONCACAF to have some kind of punishment for the Atlante players who threw punches.

But MLS fans can wave goodbye to Mexican clubs because it will be an all-MLS SuperLiga final, as New England will face the Houston Dynamo in the SuperLiga final, in a rematch of MLS Cup 2007.