Revolution fall 1-0 to NYCFC, lose 10th game of season
FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (2-1-10, 7 pts.) fell 1-0 versus New York City FC (8-2-5, 26 pts.) in a match on Saturday.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium to a crowd of 25,625.
The Starting XI for the night.
Watch LIVE on @AppleTV #MLSSeasonPass | https://t.co/F0r4ESmKOw pic.twitter.com/pcACaM1Teo
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 25, 2024
The team lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Aljaž Ivačič starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Xavier Arreaga, and Henry Kessler, along with (right back) Nick Lima. The midfield spots were manned by Matt Polster (left defensive midfield) and Mark-Anthony Kaye (right defensive midfield), with Carles Gil appeared ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Dylan Borrero (left wing), Tomás Chancalay (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
This is the first time this season that all 3 New England Revolution Designated Players, as well as their single U22 Initative player, have been on the pitch at the same time.
The first XI to take the field. pic.twitter.com/ydlqZKo229
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 26, 2024
The match began with NYCFC starting from the center circle. They quickly elected to launch the ball into New England’s defensive third.
NYCFC had the first moment of the match just 30 seconds in, when midfielder #26 Agustín Ojeda’s close-range shot was blocked by Henry Kessler.
In just the 10th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter was forced to make his first change of the match by replacing Tomás Chancalay with Esmir Bajraktarević. Chancalay had gotten injured just 38 seconds into the game when he tacked NYCFC midfielder #10 Santiago Rodríguez.
In the 13th minute, Revolution defender Henry Kessler was issued a yellow card for an incidental handball. Due to his yellow card, Henry Kessler will be suspended for next weekend’s match versus Nashville SC.
New England’s first chance came in the 24th minute when Xavier Arriaga’s header from a Carles Gil corner kick went wide of the right post.
New England’s next chance came in the 26th minute when Giacomo Vrioni’s shot was saved by goalkeeper #49 Matt Freese.
Less than 1 minute later, Dylan Borrero had a long-distance chance that went just wide of the right post.
Revolution midfielder Carles Gil (10) takes a corner kick in a match versus NYCFC. © Adrian Heinsohn-Roe.
In the 33rd minute, NYCFC forward #9 Mounsef Bakrar was issued a yellow card for pushing Mark-Anthony Kaye.
In the 43rd minute, NYCFC defender #16 Thiago Martins was issued a yellow card.
After the 45+6 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 0-0.
Level at the half. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/rCoNK4XS92
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 26, 2024
The second half began with New England starting from the center circle. They quickly elected to launch the ball into NYCFC’s defensive third.
Just one minute into the first half, New England had their first chance of the half when Giacomo Vrioni’s header was saved by goalkeeper #49 Matt Freese. The initial rebound shot by Dylan Borrero was sent high over the crossbar.
NYCFC’s first chance came in the 47th minute when forward #9 Mounsef Bakrar’s shot was saved by Aljaž Ivačič.
Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni then had another huge opportunity in the 52nd minute when his shot when high over the crossbar.
Esmir Bajraktarević then had a chance of his own in the 55th minute that was saved by goalkeeper #49 Matt Freese.
In the 60th minute, NYCFC head coach Nicholas Cushing made his first two changes of the match by replacing forward #9 Mounsef Bakrar and midfielder #26 Agustín Ojeda with forwards #16 Alonso Martínez and #88 Malachi Jones.
Dylan Borrero (11) looks to collect the ball in a match versus NYCFC. © Adrian Heinsohn-Roe.
New England had yet another opportunity in the 61st minute when Giacomo Vrioni’s header went over the crossbar.
Dylan Borrero then had a chance of his own in the 66th minute that was saved by goalkeeper #49 Matt Freese and wide of the left post
In the 73rd minute, Revolution midfielder Dylan Borrero was issued a yellow card for fouling NYCFC midfielder #17 Hannes Wolf.
NYCFC’s next chance came in the 75th minute when midfielder #10 Santiago Rodríguez’s free kick effort was saved by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
Just 3 minutes later, midfielder #17 Hannes Wolf then had an opportunity that went just wide of the left post.
In the 78th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second change of the match by replacing Dylan Borrero with Emmanuel Boateng.
Just 3 minutes later, NYCFC head coach Nicholas Cushing made his third change of the match by replacing midfielder #17 Hannes Wolf with midfielder #80 Justin Hawk.
Just moments later, NYCFC gained the late lead.
KEATON AIRWAYS
pic.twitter.com/3nFTGiLQop
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) May 26, 2024
Defender #24 Tayvon Gray sent in a right-footed cross into the area that was won by midfielder #55 Keaton Parks over Nick Lima and Xavier Arreaga for the back post goal past Aljaž Ivačič.
Following the goal, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his final change of the match by replacing Giacomo Vrioni with Bobby Wood.
In the 86th minute, Revolution defender Xavier Arreaga was issued a yellow card for fouling NYCFC forward #88 Malachi Jones.
New England then had an opportunity in the 89th minute from a corner kick that was met with a clearance. The ball then fell to a NYCFC midfielder that found forward #16 Alonso Martínez for a breakaway. He outpaced DeJuan Jones and his right-footed shot was met with a fantastic save by Revolution goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
New England’s last chance came in the 92nd minute when Esmir Bajraktarević’s right-footed shot was saved by goalkeeper #49 Matt Freese.
After the 90+3 minutes, the match concluded with NYCFC holding on for the 1-0 victory.
Final. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/takpZgE0B3
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 26, 2024
With the result, the New England Revolution remain in last place across all of Major League Soccer.
They have now lost more matches in the MLS Regular Season than they had lost last season. (Finished 15W-10D-9L in 2023).
Upon conclusion of the match, New England Revolution supporter groups began chanting toward Sporting Director Curt Onalfo due to this seasons disappointing start.
The New England Revolution supporter groups with a vocal message postgame towards Sporting Director Curt Onalfo..
“Shalrie don’t like it … Ooo Ahh … F*** Onalfo! F*** Onalfo! Shalrie don’t like it….”
Revolution lose their 10th match of the season.#NERevs | #MLS pic.twitter.com/qen2kaKef0
— Caleb Pongratz (@CalebPongratz10) May 26, 2024
The New England Revolution (2-1-10, 7 pts.) head out to Nashville, Tennessee where they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side Nashville SC (3-7-4, 17 pts.) on Saturday, June 1st. The match kicks off in Geodis Park at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.