FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (0-1-4, 1 pts.) drew 1-1 versus Chicago Fire FC (1-2-2, 5 pts.) in a match on Saturday.
The match kicked off at 2:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA to a crowd of “reportedly“ 15,269.
Here's how we line up this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/2wjQ8PxXj6
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 23, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Earl Edwards Jr. 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.
Goalkeeper Henrich Ravas (Slovakia) along with midfielders Esmir Bajraktarević (United States) and Noel Buck (England) were unavailable due to international duty.
March 23, 2024; The New England Revolution drew 1-1 with Chicago Fire FC at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Spencer Powell
The match kicked off with Chicago Fire starting from the center circle. #9 Hugo Cuypers played the ball backwards to midfielder #30 Gastón Giménez, who elected to build out of the back to start the match.
New England’s first chance in the match came in the 16th minute when Carles Gil’s freekick went just over the net.
In the 18th minute, Chicago Fire midfielder #21 Fabian Hebers was issued a yellow card for a foul on Matt Polster.
Just 2 minutes later, in the 20th minute, Chicago gained the early 1-0 advantage.
Fabi ➡️ Hugo 🟰 ⚽️🔥#cf97 | #NEvCHI pic.twitter.com/hSR3If0ldg
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 23, 2024
Following a 50-50 win near midfield, Chicago FC midfielder #21 Fabian Hebers found the ball on the right-flank and slid it across the Revolution 18-yard-box to find an open #9 Hugo Cuypers for the finish. This is Cuyper’s second goal of the season.
New England’s next chance came in the 25th minute when Carles Gil’s corner kick was met with a half-volley by Henry Kessler which just went over the right side of the net.
March 23, 2024; Henry Kessler (4) attempts a half-volley during a match at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Spencer Powell
Chicago had yet another chance in the 33rd minute when #23 Kelyn Acosta’s freekick went just over the top left of the net.
In the 44th minute, Chicago Fire midfielder #17 Brian Gutiérrez was issued a yellow card for simulation.
In the 45+2 minute, Chicago Fire defender #27 Allan Arigoni was issued a yellow card for time wasting.
Just one minute later, New England leveled the match.
Nachoooo! #NEvCHI 1-1 pic.twitter.com/nbKSxvAueE
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 23, 2024
Defender DeJuan Jones receieved a cross-field switch from Tomas Chancalay. He then drove into the area, had a pull-back pass to Carles Gil, who unleashed a shot that was mismanaged by goalkeeper #18 Spencer Richey. His bad block led to a close-range header by Nacho Gil for his first MLS goal of the season.
March 23, 2024; Midfielder Nacho Gil (21) celebrates with Carles Gil (10) after scoring a goal in a match at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Spencer Powell
Following the goal, the match entered halftime level at 1-1.
Time to fight. 💪#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/QhdqGUS3cs
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 23, 2024
The second half began with New England starting from the center circle. Giacomo Vrioni played the ball back to Matt Polster, who launched it into the Chicago defensive third.
Chicago had the first chance of the second half when #27 Allan Arigoni’s right-footed effort went just over the top of the bar.
In the 60th minute, Revolution midfielder Ian Harkes was issued a yellow card for a foul on #9 Hugo Cuypers.
Entering the 61st minute, New England Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by substituting defender Andrew Farrell and replacing him with defender Ryan Spaulding.
March 23, 2024; Defender Ryan Spaulding (34) traps the ball in a match at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Spencer Powell
Chicago almost scored in the 66th minute when Revolution goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. had a woeful clearance that was blocked by Chicago Fire forward #19 Georgios Koutsias. He then received the ball and took a shot that was met by a save by Edwards Jr.
Just 2 minutes later, New England had a good chance when Nacho Gil’s volley was met with a block that led to a corner kick.
Just 4 minutes later, Chicago Fire head coach Frank Koplas made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder #17 Brian Gutiérrez with forward #19 Georgios Koutsias.
March 23, 2024; Midfielder Carles Gil (10) looks to create a chance in a match at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Spencer Powell
Entering the 75th minute, Chicago Fire head coach Frank Koplas made his second, third, and fourth change of the match by replacing defender #24 Jonathan Dean, midfielder #30 Gastón Giménez, and forward #9 Hugo Cuypers and replacing them with defender #77 Chase Gasper, defender #22 Mauricio Pineda, and forward #12 Tom Barlow.
In the 81st minute, Revolution midfielder Matt Polster was issued a yellow card for a foul on #21 Fabian Herbers.
Entering the 84th minute, Chicago Fire head coach Frank Koplas made his fifth and final change of the match by replacing defender #77 Chase Gasper with defender #4 Carlos Terán.
New England had yet another chance in the 86th minute when Tomás Chancalay’s chip attempt was met with a parry save by #18 Spencer Richey.
Just one minute later, Ian Harkes had an effort which was met with yet another close-range save by #18 Spencer Richey.
March 23, 2024; A scuffle breaks out during a match between the New England Revolution and Chicago Fire FC at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Spencer Powell
In the 90th minute, Chicago Fire forward #12 Tom Barlow was issued a yellow card for a foul on Nacho Gil. Play was reviewed for a potential red card, but no red card was issued.
In the 90+5th minute, Revolution midfielder Carles Gil was issued a yellow card for complaining to the center official regarding a poor call.
After the 90+6 minutes, the match ended level at 1-1.
Following the full-time whistle, Revolution forward Tomás Chancalay was issued a yellow card for complaining to the center official.
We each take a point. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/NGfJjopk6k
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 23, 2024
This is New England’s first point in MLS play this season. They are currently 0-1-4.
New England has yet to have a single lead in MLS play this season.
We’ll see you guys back in @GilletteStadium on April 2nd for Club America 🫡🏟️#NERevs | @JetBlue pic.twitter.com/TfcoqhP7oZ
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 23, 2024
For Concacaf Champions Cup play, the New England Revolution (0-1-4, 1 pts.) will face Club América in leg 1 of their Concacaf Champions Cup Clash in Foxboro, MA on Tuesday, April 2nd. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium at 9:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
For MLS play, the New England Revolution (0-1-4, 1 pts.) remain in Foxboro, MA as they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side Charlotte FC (2-1-2, 7 pts.) on Saturday, April 6th. 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 Spenser Powell’s photos, click on the link)
