FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (0-0-1, 0pts. in MLS) were victorious in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Match after defeating Club Atlético Independiente de La Chorrera (2-2-1, 8 pts. in LPF) 3-0 on Wednesday night.
The match kicked off at 8:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA to a crowd of 5,493.
Here's how we lineup tonight for Leg 2 of @TheChampions #ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/la98BUZieC
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 1, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Henrich Ravas starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Henry Kessler, along with (right back) Andrew Farrell. The midfield spots were manned by Matt Polster (left defensive midfield) and Ian Harkes (right defensive midfield), with Carles Gil appeared ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Tomás Chancalay (left wing), Nacho Gil (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
This is Henry Kessler’s first appearance this season. He has been dealing with an adductor injury.
February 29, 2024; The NE Revolution starting XI in a CONCACAF Champions Cup game between the New England Revolution and C.A. Independiente at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts . (c) Burt Granofsky/Prost Amerika
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Forward Giacomo Vrioni elected to play the ball backwards to Andrew Farrell, who elected to play the ball backwards to Henrich Ravas to build out of the back.
The first moment of the match came just 7 minutes in as New England took the early 1-0 advantage.
In under 10 minutes, the Gil brothers put us ahead! 👯♂️🇪🇸
🎥: @TheChampions pic.twitter.com/Z42BT79C1z
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 1, 2024
After defender Andrew Farrell found midfielder Carles Gil in space, he connected with his brother Nacho for a shifty give-and-go. This led Carles to then switch the field where he found Tomás Chancalay, who then found Giacomo Vrioni atop the CAI penalty area. His one-touch trap set up Carles Gil who elected to lay it off to his brother Nacho for the right-footed finish into the bottom left corner.
Entering the 20th minute, the New England Revolution had thought that they had received a penalty kick after forward Giacomo Vrioni was taken down inside the CAI penalty area by goalkeeper #12 Eddie Roberts. However, the center official thought otherwise, and issued a yellow card to Giacomo Vrioni for simulation. Due to Concacaf Champions Cup rules, Giacomo Vrioni is suspended for New England’s next match, after receiving two yellow cards in back-to-back games.
February 29, 2024; New England Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni (9) pleads his case after receiving a yellow card in a CONCACAF Champions Cup game between the New England Revolution and C.A. Independiente at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts . (c) Burt Granofsky/Prost Amerika
New England’s next best chance came in the 28th minute when Tomás Chancalay found Carles Gil, who then connected with Nacho Gil, who looked to re-connect with Chancalay, but his shot was lifted over the top of the crossbar.
In the 39th minute, CAI defender #55 Aimar Taimir Modelo Johnson was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul on Revolution midfielder Carles Gil.
After 45 +1 minutes, the match entered halftime with New England ahead 1-0.
Ahead at the half!#ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/4MLfu33Mgz
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 1, 2024
Entering the second half, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first two changes of the match by replacing defender Henry Kessler and midfielder Nacho Gil with defender Nick Lima and midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević. With Carles Gil’s substitution, Andrew Farrell was given the captain’s armband.
CAI head coach Franklin Narvaez made his first substitution of the match as well by replacing forward #28 Guido Adalberto Luzcando for midfielder #77 Victor Reyes.
The second half began with CAI starting from the center circle. Forward #9 Ronaldo Dinolis playing the ball backward to his center backs, who elected to launch the ball into the offensive final third.
In the 56th minute, CAI head coach Franklin Narvaez made his second substitution of the match by replacing defender #55 Aimar Taimir Modelo Johnson for striker #13 Javier Leon.
Entering the 58th minute, New England added to their lead.
I meannnnnnn we're gonna need a replay on that one from Esmir + Tomás 😮💨🧼
🎥: @TheChampions pic.twitter.com/sYlLz2SQMG
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 1, 2024
Midfielder Nacho Gil managed to collect the ball after winning a 50-50 duel and elected to play the ball down the right side to midfielder Esmir Bajraktarevic. He then took 3 touches before sliding the ball across the goal mouth for the easy goal for Tomás Chancalay.
CAI’s best chance of the half came in the 60th minute when forward #13 Javier Leon’s right-footed shot went just over the right crossbar.
In the 66th minute, CAI head coach Franklin Narvaez made his third substitution of the match by replacing midfielder #6 Luis Fields for midfielder #15 Julio Chang.
Just 3 minutes later, in the 69th minute, New England Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his third change of the match by replacing midfielder Ian Harkes for midfielder Noel Buck.
New England had yet another amazing scoring opportunity in the 70th minute when Tomás Chancalay took on 3 defenders and unleashed a right-footed shot that struck the crossbar. The subsequent rebound was blocked by a CAI defender and out for a corner kick.
In the 77th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his fourth change of the match by replacing midfielder Tomás Chancalay for midfielder Emmanuel Boateng.
Entering the 80th minute, New England had thought that they had added to their lead.
February 29, 2024; New England Revolution midfielder Ema Boateng (18) celebrates a goal (but it was eventually called back) in a CONCACAF Champions Cup game between the New England Revolution and C.A. Independiente at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts . (c) Burt Granofsky/Prost Amerika
Defender Nick Lima found forward Giacomo Vrioni who slid the ball across the goal mouth for an easy finish by Emmanuel Boateng. However, it was found after video review that defender Nick Lima was offsides in the buildup, and the goal was taken back.
Following the video review, CAI head coach Franklin Narvaez made his fourth and fifth substitution of the match by replacing forward #9 Ronaldo Dinolis and defender #21 Anibal Mello and replaced them with forward #30 Daniel Rodriguez and defender #4 Carlos Aguirre.
In the 85th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his fifth change of the match by replacing midfielder Nacho Gil for midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye.
In the 90+2 minute, New England added to their lead once more.
The icing on the 🎂 from MAK!
🎥: @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/FJ9DkrEJNd
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 1, 2024
After receiving the ball from midfielder Emmanuel Boateng, forward Giacomo Vrioni drove against his defender all the way down to the endline, took 2 touches towards the goal, and slotted it across the goal mouth to find midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye for the easy finish, less than 6-yards out.
February 29, 2024; Revolution players celebrate with New England Revolution midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye (28) after a goal in a CONCACAF Champions Cup game between the New England Revolution and C.A. Independiente at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky/Prost Amerika
After the 90+2 minutes, the match ended, and New England held onto the 3-0 victory.
The Final! Onto the next round 😈#ConcaChampions | @TheChampions pic.twitter.com/xrWXfofD9u
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 1, 2024
With the result, the New England Revolution move on to the Round of 16 to face Costa Rican Side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. The Costa Rican side are 2x Concacaf Champions Cup Champions (1986, 2004) and are 3x Runners-Up (1971, 1992, 1999). The schedule for the upcoming matches will be released in the coming days.
The winner of the Round of 16 Matchup will face the winner of 7x Concacaf Champions Cup winners, Club de Fútbol América S.A. de C.V. “Chivas” (Mexico) versus 2x Concacaf Champions Cup winners Club Deportivo Guadalajara “Chivas” (Mexico) in the Elite 8.
Round of 16 is set. 💪#ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/NVsV5ECH2m
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 1, 2024
The New England Revolution (0-0-1, 0pts.) will remain in Foxborough, MA as they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side Toronto FC (0-1-0, 1 pts.) on Sunday, March 3rd. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium at 2:00 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)
