FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Call it a glimpse into the past, a look at a possible connection that might have been for the US men’s national team in 2010.

When Jermaine Jones and Charlie Davies connected for the game-winner in the New England Revolution's 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire on Sunday, it was as if the two friends had finally found that connection on the pitch that they had forged off of it over the past four years.

“That’s why I hoped to bring him to the club,” Davies said after the game, with an ear-to-ear grin. “[Jermaine] is a tremendous player. He’s got so much experience, and he’s a player that can create opportunities for me. So it was awesome to get my goal off his assist.”

The two, having met while hanging around the 2010 USMNT team, developed a relationship that ultimately helped Jones prepare for his arrival in New England by getting the lay of the land from Davies.

They never had the opportunity to play together back then, yet one wouldn’t have known it when watching Jones turn upfield in the 60th minute on Sunday.

After slaloming through a sea of red Fire jerseys, Jones flicked a left-footed pass through a few more Chicago defenders, finding his friend on the fly. And then Davies was off to the races, breaking away from the pack before firing low left to give the Revs a 2-1 lead.

"I know that with Charlie we have a fast guy in front,” said Jones. “He needs the ball in space, so I tried to get the guy on my back going into the dribbling. I'm happy he scored the goal and we win."

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It was a goal that Davies will clearly remember for a long time.

“You could probably see my eyes get real big,” said Davies. “It was basically going to be a one-on-one, me versus [Fire goalkeeper] Sean Johnson. And I know he’s a big keeper, so basically you’ve got to put it low and in the corner and you’ve got to hit it with good pace to beat him, which fortunately I was fortunate enough to do.”

The connection was Jones’ second assist in as many games with the Revs and Davies’ third goal of the season, all coming in the last six games.

As for the friends' first connection, it could very well be the start of an on-field relationship that could prove fruitful for the Revs.

“Hopefully there’s many more to come,” said Davies.