FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (12-7-4, 43 pts.) drew 0-0, and then were defeated 4-2 in a penalty shootout in their Leagues Cup debut match versus New York Red Bulls (6-8-9, 26 pts.) on Saturday night.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey to a crowd of 9,884.
Our first-ever @LeaguesCup XI 🔵🔴
Watch it LIVE on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV:
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 22, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 4-4-2 formation with Đorđe Petrović starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Andrew Farrell, along with (right back) Brandon Bye. The central defensive midfield spot was manned by Mark-Anthony Kaye. Ian Harkes (left midfield) and Noel Buck (right midfield), and Carles Gil (central attacking midfield) rounded off the middle of the pitch. The forward roles were manned by Bobby Wood (Left) and Gustavo Bou (Right).
Midfielder Noel Buck returns to the starting 11 after missing the last 7/8 past games due to a lingering leg injury.
Defender DeJuan Jones also returned to the lineup after he returned from international duty with the United States Men’s National Team.
Midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye made his official debut for the New England Revolution. Kaye was acquired via trade with Toronto FC for an International Roster Slot and Latif Blessing on July 12th.
You're with us always, Olivia. @bbknighton 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/vme3h4FP7L
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 22, 2023
The match began with a moment of silence. Former Revolution goalkeeper and current U-19 Academy Coach Brad Knighton’s daughter, Olivia Knighton, died in a boating accident north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Wednesday. She was only 11 years old. The team held up a jersey in her honor and wore black armbands in support of the Knighton family.
The match began with New England starting from the center circle. Forward Gustavo Bou played the ball backwards to defender Andrew Farrell, who sent it up the center of the field, which led to a quick foul just 6 seconds into the match.
New York had the first chance of the match when in the 5th minute, forward #13 Dante Vanzeir’s left-footed effort went just wide of the left post.
New York had yet another chance in the 20th minute when #17 Cameron Harper’s right footed service into the box found the right foot of #13 Dante Vanzeir. His shot was saved by goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović.
In the 25th minute, Revolution forward Bobby Wood was issued a yellow card for a dangerous foul on #98 Hassan Ndam.
In the 39th minute, Revolution goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović kept the match level with an amazing save.
Pulling out all the STOPS for @LeaguesCup 😤🧤 pic.twitter.com/qiryZmA3mv
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 23, 2023
#13 Dante Vanzeir started a counterattack around the right side. His service into the area was met by #21 Omir Fernandez shot, which was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović.
Entering the 44th minute, New York believed they had the opening goal after #74 Tom Barlow’s shot went into the bottom right corner, but Barlow’s run was too early and was called back for offside.
After the 45 minutes, the match entered halftime with the scoreline level at 0-0.
Not a ton thus far. #LeaguesCup2023 pic.twitter.com/JnDCp4MosW
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 23, 2023
The second half began with #13 Dante Vanzeir playing the ball all the way back to goalkeeper #1 Carlos Coronel. He elected to play it toward midfield to start their attack.
In the 46th minute, New York Red Bulls forward #17 Cameron Harper was issued a yellow card for a foul on Gustavo Bou.
New England’s first chance of the match came in the 47th minute when Noel Buck’s chance was blocked away for a corner kick.
Debut for our 2️⃣8️⃣ in the Defiance Kit 👀 pic.twitter.com/s9azDBUZbW
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 23, 2023
In the 64th minute, New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena made his first change of the match by substituting midfielder Noel Buck and replacing him with midfielder Emmanuel Boateng.
New York’s first chance of the second half came in the 65th minute when #47 John Tolkien’s delivery was met by a second chance cross by #15 Sean Nealis and was met by a header from #98 Hassan Ndam, however his header went wide of the left post.
New England’s next chance of the half came in the 65th minute when Gustavo Bou found Bobby Wood away in space, but Wood took a poor touch, and essentially messed up the counterattack.
In the 73rd minute, New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena made his second change of the match by substituting forward Bobby Wood and replacing him with forward Giacomo Vrioni.
In the 93rd minute, New England had the best chance of the match when Giacomo Vrioni’s close-range effort from a Carles Gil pass was saved by goalkeeper #1 Carlos Coronel.
After the 90 +4 minutes, the match ended in a 0-0 draw, giving points to both teams, but would head to a penalty shootout to give one of the team’s an extra point.
🔥 @NewYorkRedBulls and @NERevolution are set for penalties! 😱 Watch it here: https://t.co/xuZvKmzRbo pic.twitter.com/tEcbrShOmg
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) July 23, 2023
New York Red Bulls won the toss, electing to shoot in their home end and to shoot first.
New York’s first penalty kick taker was #11 Elias Manoel. His right-footed shot was saved in the bottom right corner by Đorđe Petrović.
New England’s first penalty kick taker was Carles Gil. His left footed shot was converted into the bottom left corner past #1 Carlos Coronel to take the 1-0 lead.
New York’s second penalty kick taker was #75 Daniel Edelman. His right-footed shot went into the bottom right corner to level it 1-1.
New England’s second penalty kick taker was Gustavo Bou. His right footed shot into the bottom right corner gave New England the lead at 2-1.
Next up for New York was #13 Dante Vanzeir. His right footed shot into the bottom right corner leveled the match at 2-2.
New England’s third penalty kick taker was DeJuan Jones. His right footed shot went into the bottom right corner, struck the post and out to keep the scoreline level at 2-2. #1 Carlos Coronel dove the wrong way and got lucky.
Next up for New York’s was #15 Sean Nealis. His right footed shot was sent down the middle of the goal for the 3-2 advantage. Petrović dove to his right.
New England’s fourth penalty kick taker was Giacomo Vrioni. His left footed shot was saved in the bottom right corner by #1 Carlos Coronel to keep New York ahead 3-2.
To win the match, #47 John Tolkien stepped up for New York. His right footed shot was calmly placed into the bottom left corner to win the match 4-2. Petrović dove the opposite way.
We fall on penalties but garner a point in @LeaguesCup group play. Pivotal match Wednesday 🆚 @AtletideSanLuis. pic.twitter.com/nymJlRZGCv
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 23, 2023
The Revolution can qualify for the knockout rounds with a victory in their next match versus Club Atlético de San Luis as two teams from each group advance.
The New England Revolution (12-7-4, 43 pts.) return to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to face Club Atlético de San Luis (1-1-1, 4 pts. in Liga MX) in a Leagues Cup Match on Wednesday, July 26th. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)
