Early red card leads to 3-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union
FOXBOROUGH, MA – The New England Revolution (2-1-9, 7 pts.) were defeated 3-0 versus the Philadelphia Union (4-5-3, 17 pts.). in a match on Saturday.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to a crowd of 34,947.
Vamos
Watch FREE on @AppleTV | https://t.co/OuNMwO9RMs pic.twitter.com/AU1ZV96Vpk
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 18, 2024
The team lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Aljaž Ivačič starting in net with a backline of (left back) Ryan Spaulding, (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), Esmir Bajraktarević (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
This is Dylan Borrero’s first official start since tearing his ACL in April of 2023.
TEAM TEAM TEAM
pic.twitter.com/3dvYCTJgc6
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 18, 2024
The match kicked off with New England kicking off from the center circle. The ball was played all the way back to goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič, who then elected to launch the ball into Philadelphia’s defensive third.
The Union had the first moment of the match when midfielder #11 Alejandro Bedoya’s left-footed shot was caught by Aljaž Ivačič.
In the 14th minute, drama ensued for the New England Revolution. After a horrific lofted pass by Esmir Bajraktarević to last man back Ryan Spaulding, he was challenged with a 50-50 and then was forced to take down forward #7 Mikael Uhre. Due to the challenge, Ryan Spaulding was issued a straight red card, meaning that New England would play the remaining 76 minutes down to 10 men.
Revolution defender Henry Kessler (4) wins the ball in a 50-50 challenge against a Philadelphia Union player.
In the 17th minute, Revolution defender Henry Kessler was issued a yellow card.
New England’s first chance came in the 32nd minute when the ball fell for a volley attempt by midfielder Matt Polster that just missed the goal.
The Union’s next best chance came in the 35th minute when #9 Julian Carranza’s effort was launched over the bar.
Entering the 38th minute, Philadelphia took the 1-0 advantage.
It's beautiful
From @JackMcGlynn7's left foot to Carranza's head on into the back of the net!
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https://t.co/R3bW02tBbn #DOOP | #NEvPHI 0-1 pic.twitter.com/QTI1v72W16
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 19, 2024
Following a horrific lofted ball by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič, the ball was won by defender #27 Kai Wagner. The ball then fell for defender #16 Jack McGlynn, who then launched a beauty of a cross into the box to find the head of forward #9 Julián Carranza.
New England’s next chance came in the 39th minute when Giacomo Vrioni’s effort was met with a stellar save by goalkeeper #1 Oliver Semmle.
The Union had yet another chance in the 41st minute when #16 Jack McGlynn’s effort was met with a comfortable save by Aljaž Ivačič.
Revolution goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič (31) collects the ball in a match versus the Philadelphia Union.
Just before the conclusion of the first half, the Union almost added to their lead with midfielder #10 Daniel Gazdag’s effort was met with a spectacular save by Aljaž Ivačič.
New England had the last chance of the half when Dylan Borrero’s effort from close-range was met with a leg save by goalkeeper #1 Oliver Semmle.
After the 45+8 minutes, the match entered halftime with Philadelphia ahead 1-0.
Down by one at the half. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/vccSgj096B
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 19, 2024
The second half kicked off with the Union starting in the center circle. They elected to launch the ball into the New England defensive third.
Just 2 minutes into the second half, Philadelphia added to their lead.
Dani opened the second half with a second goal!
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— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 19, 2024
Following a cross by defender #26 Nathan Harriel, the cross was met with a header by #7 Mikael Uhre that struck the woodwork. The deflection then fell calmly for midfielder #10 Dániel Gazdag for the simple finish.
Entering the 50th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by replacing Dylan Borrero with DeJuan Jones.
The Union had yet another chance in the 57th minute when defender #16 Jack McGlynn had yet another chance that snuck just wide of the right post.
Philadelphia Union midfielder Dániel Gazdag (10) celebrates a goal versus the New England Revolution.
Forward #7 Mikael Uhre had yet another chance with a pirouette attempt in the 61st minute that was caught by Aljaž Ivačič.
Entering the 63rd minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second and third changes of the match by replacing Esmir Bajraktarević and Mark-Anthony Kaye with Ian Harkes and Emmanuel Boateng.
In the 66th minute, Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni was issued a yellow card.
Revolution defender Xavier Arreaga (3) heads the ball in an MLS match against the Philadelphia Union.
Just 2 minutes later, Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin made his first two changes of the match by replacing forward #7 Mikael Uhre and defender #26 Nathan Harriel with midfielder #33 Quinn Sullivan and defender #15 Olivier Mbaizo.
Midfielder #33 Quinn Sullivan had a chance of his own entering the 75th minute that was met with a save by Aljaž Ivačič.
Entering the 80th minute, Philadelphia added to their lead.
Daniel Gazdag gets his 60th goal for the club and a brace on the night!
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— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 19, 2024
Midfielder #10 Dániel Gazdag sent a through-ball to find midfielder #33 Quinn Sullivan, who elected for a quick-shot that was saved by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič. However, the rebound fell to Dániel Gazdag for his second goal of the match.
In the 83rd minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his final two changes of the match by replacing Nick Lima and Matt Polster with Noel Buck and Andrew Farrell.
Just 2 minutes later, Revolution defender Xavier Arreaga was issued a yellow card.
Revolution defender Xavier Arreaga (3) looks to complete a pass in a match versus the Philadelphia Union.
In the 89th minute, Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin made his final two changes of the match by replacing midfielder #10 Dániel Gazdag and forward #9 Julián Carranza with midfielder #14 Jeremy Rafanello and forward #18 Tai Baribo.
The Union’s last chance of the match when midfielder #33 Quinn Sullivan’s half-volley was high and wide of the right post.
The Revolution had their last chance in the 90+7th minute when goalkeeper #1 Oliver Semmle denied Xavier Arreaga from less than a yard away.
After the 90+5 minutes, the match ended with Philadelphia winning the match 3-0.
Final. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/IBgzQvpcuS
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 19, 2024
This is the Revolution’s 9th loss in MLS this season, matching the amount of regular season losses that they had all of last season.
Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution (2-1-9, 7 pts.) return home to Foxborough, Massachusetts to face Eastern Conference side Philadelphia Union (3-5-3, 14 pts.). The match will kick off at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, May 25th. For more MLS NEXT Pro content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)
New England Revolution
Philadelphia Union
