FOXBOROUGH, MA— The New England Revolution II defeated Philadelphia Union 2 by a score of 3-2 on Sunday night.
The match kicked off at 8:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts
The full lineup: pic.twitter.com/wm1dpyMFLf
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) October 1, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 4-3-3 formation with goalkeeper Jacob Jackson starting in the net with a backline of (left back) Peyton Miller, (center backs) Pierre Cayet and Victor Souza, along with (right back) Colby Quiñónes. The midfield consisted of Marcos Dias(left), Jake Rozhansky (center), and Jack Panayotou(right). The forward roles were manned by Joshua Bolma (left), Esmir Bajraktarević (right), and Jordan Adebayo-Smith (central) as the lone striker.
The squad today featured 4 first-team rostered players as Jack Panayotou, Esmir Bajraktarević, and Joshua Bolma started tonight’s match and Lucas Maciel started on the bench.
The Revolution II were coached by Head Coach Rob Becerra and Assistant Coach Brad Knighton.
New England Revolution Head Coach Clint Peay was in an executive suite, while Assistant Coach Marcelo Santos was field-level.
The starters 🤩 pic.twitter.com/w3bp8T3yzZ
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) October 2, 2023
The match began with Philadelphia Union starting from the center circle. #56 Christopher Olney Jr. played the ball backwards to defender #29. Olwethu Makhanya, who elected to launch the ball into the Revolution II defensive third.
The first moment of the match came in the 23rd minute, New England obtained a penalty kick.
After a long ball by Pierre Cayet was brought down by Joshua Bolma, he elected to take-on right-back #39 Francis Westfield, who two-hand pushed Bolma in the back.
Marcos Dias converts to place @NERevolution2 in front! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/NSRXFMtPtk
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) October 2, 2023
After the Penalty Kick call, Marcos Dias stepped up and buried it home into the bottom left corner past #76 Andrew Rick for the 1-0 advantage.
Philadelphia Union 2’s first moment of the match came in the 29th minute, when #14 Jeremy Rafanello’s right footed shot from outside the box was saved by Jacob Jackson.
New England had yet another chance when it entered the 31st minute when Jordan Adebayo-Smith couldn’t get behind a cross sent in by Joshua Bolma.
After the 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime with the New England Revolution II ahead 1-0.
Up one at the half 👊 pic.twitter.com/XMSUjZX2YL
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) October 2, 2023
The second half began with New England starting from the center circle. Jordan Adebayo-Smith played the ball backwards to Pierre Cayet, who elected to launch the ball into the Philadelphia Union 2 defensive third.
Philadelphia had the first moment of the second half when #14 Jeremy Rafanello’s right-footed shot from outside the box was too high following a freekick.
Entering the 55th minute, New England added to their lead.
GOLAZO! 💥
Esmir Bajraktarevic launches a rocket from inside the box for ✌️. @NERevolution2 pic.twitter.com/KYOXL6y2YR
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) October 2, 2023
Following a long-ball by Peyton Miller, the ball found Joshua Bolma, who then set Jordan Adebayo-Smith, who elected for the square pass to Esmir Bajraktarević. He took one touch before bending a left-footed finesse shot goal for his 5th goal against the Union this season.
Just 7 minutes later, Bajraktarević added to the lead once more.
🗣️ BAJRAKTAREVIC DOES IT AGAIN@NERevolution2 slides through the wall and adds to their total, 3-0. pic.twitter.com/V2NHbjXHdT
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) October 2, 2023
Following a poor foul by Philadelphia Union 2 defender #39 Francis Westfield, The Revolution II were gifted a freekick in a dangerous area. Esmir Bajraktarević stepped up, and his left footed shot went into the bottom right corner of the next past #76 Andrew Rick for the goal. This is Bajraktarević’s 6th goal against the Philadelphia Union 2 this season.
Just moments after the Revolution II goal, the Union had a clear chance that went just over the goal.
In the 67th minute, Revolution II head coach Rob Becerra made his first change of the match by substituting forward Esmir Bajraktarević and replacing him with forward Malcolm Fry.
In the 75th minute, #14 Jeremy Rafanello had a clear chance on the right flank which was met with a save from Jacob Jackson.
After the chance, Revolution II head coach Rob Becerra made his second and third change of the match by substituting midfielders Jake Rozhanksy and Marcos Dias and replaced them with midfielders Lucas Maciel and Patrick Leal. With the substitution of Rozhansky, Pierre Cayet took the captain’s armband.
Entering the 78th minute, the Philadelphia Union 2 pulled one back.
Juan Castillo chips the ball in the bottom left corner and pulls one back for @PhilaUnionII 💪 pic.twitter.com/3dahIBmfYc
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) October 2, 2023
Defender #39 Francis Westfield found #14 Jeremy Rafanello. He then played it back to Francis Westfield, who sent a delivery into the area that deflected off of Victor Souza and was met with a poor clearance by Peyton Miller. The ball found the feet of #80 Juan Castillo for a shot into the bottom left corner past Jacob Jackson to bring the scoreline to 3-1.
Less than 4 minutes later, Philadelphia Union 2 were given a penalty kick.
As #52 Boubacar Diallo weaved into the penalty area, he was met with a bump from Peyton Miller, and went down in the area. The center official quickly called for a penalty kick.
THIS GAME! 👀
Boubacar Diallo sparks life back into @PhilaUnionII from the spot! pic.twitter.com/ljbamIeyDC
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) October 2, 2023
After the call, #52 Boubacar Diallo stepped up to take the penalty kick and slotted it into the bottom left corner past Jacob Jackson to make the scoreline 3-2.
Entering the 90th minute, Revolution II head coach Rob Becerra made his fourth and fifth change of the match by substituting forwards Joshua Bolma and Jordan Adebayo-Smith and replacing them with forward Olger Escobar and defender Santiago Suarez.
Entering the 90th minute, New England had a clear chance, but Malcolm Fry’s right footed effort missed the mark.
Just 4 minutes later, Malcolm Fry had yet another opportunity to clinch the game as he took on defender #29, cut inside and unleashed a shot that struck the right post and out for a throw-in.
In the 90+4th minute, Philadelphia Union 2 forward #80 Juan Castillo was issued a yellow card for a foul on Jack Panayotou, and then complaining about the call with the center official.
After the 90+4 minutes, the match ended with the Revolution II holding on for the 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Union 2.
We'll see you in the Eastern Conference Semifinals 🤩 pic.twitter.com/g2iIWMGpCC
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) October 2, 2023
With the result, the New England Revolution II have moved on in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs and will face either the New York Red Bulls II or the Columbus Crew 2.
First place Crown Legacy FC get first choice at their opponent, with New England facing the non-chosen team.
New England’s next match will be at Gillette Stadium on Friday, October 6th. Kickoff is projected to be at 8:00 p.m. All MLS, MLS NEXT Pro matches will be available through the new MLS Streaming Service on the Apple TV app.
New England Revolution
