New England Revolution top Santos Laguna in Superliga

Revolution upend Santos Laguna

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Kheli Dube had a goal and an assist and the New England Revolution topped Mexico’s Santos Laguna 4-2 Sunday in the first round of the Superliga tournament.

The tournament matches four teams from Major League Soccer with four teams from Mexico’s Primera Division.

The defending champion Revolution won despite missing three of their top players — injured forwards Tyler Twellman and Shalrie Joseph, and captain Steve Ralston, who left late in the first half with an injured hamstring.

New England scored in the 38th minute when midfielder Jeff Larentowicz’s shot from 40 yards just eluded Santos goalie Oswaldo Sanchez.

The Revolution later gave the ball away right in front of their own goal and Santos’ Vicente Vuoso beat Mike Reis to tie it in the 51st minute. Juan Pablo Rodriguez then sent a shot past Reis in the 55th minute off a pass from Vuoso to give Santos a 2-1 lead, but New England’s Kenny Mansally put in a rebound in the 60th minute to tie it at 2.

Jay Heaps converted a pass from Dube in the 63rd minute to put New England back ahead 3-2 and Dube, off a free kick by Mansally, sent a shot off both posts before it slipped past Sanchez in the 82nd minute to make it 4-2.