Gil and Bajraktarević’s goals lead New England to 2-1 victory over Nashville
FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (3-1-10, 10 pts.) won 2-1 versus Nashville SC (4-7-5, 19 pts.) in a match on Saturday.
The match kicked off at 8:30 p.m. ET at Geodis Park to a crowd of 26,842.
The XI taking the field tonight.
Watch Live on @appletv | https://t.co/G0roZTDNPl pic.twitter.com/aA5nPbo7Gk
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 1, 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 Dave Romney, 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.
Defender Henry Kessler was suspended for tonight’s match due to yellow card accumulation.
Tonight's XI #NSHvNE 0-0 |
https://t.co/G0roZTDNPl pic.twitter.com/Jz5suLi752
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 2, 2024
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Carles Gil played the ball to Aljaž Ivačič, who then launched the ball up the field.
Nashville SC had the first moment of the match in just the 1st minute when forward #9 Sam Surridge’s header went just wide of the right post.
New England’s first chance came in the 7th minute when Nick Lima’s delivery into the box was cleared with a header by Nashville SC defender #25 Walker Zimmerman.
Nashville’s next chance came in the 9th minute when forward #9 Sam Surridge’s header was cleared out of the penalty area.
Nashville’s next major chance came in the 15th minute after midfielder #10 Hany Mukhtar’s corner kick delivery was headed clear by Dave Romney.
During New England’s first major chance, in the 18th minute, they took a 1-0 lead.
Capiii gets us on board! #NSHvNE 0-1 |
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 2, 2024
Midfielder Dylan Borrero played the ball to midfielder Carles Gil, who then cut inside against 3 defenders before taking a left-footed curling shot that went into the bottom left corner past goalkeeper #1 Joe Willis for the 1-0 advantage.
Nashville’s next chance came in the 21st minute when #11 Tyler Boyd’s close-range effort was met with a save by Aljaž Ivačič. The ball then popped out to midfielder #19 Alex Muyl, who took a right-footed shot from six yards away and struck the crossbar.
Midfielder #11 Tyler Boyd then had a shot opportunity in the 26th minute that was met with an easy save by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič
Entering the 30th minute, midfielder Carles Gil created an opportunity when he found Esmir Bajraktarević, who elected for a quick cross that missed Giacomo Vrioni and was cleared before reaching Mark-Anthony Kaye. The Ensuing New England corner kick was cleared.
Nashville’s last chance of the half came in the 37th minute when forward #9 Sam Surridge’s headed effort went high over the crossbar.
After the initial 45+2 minutes, the match entered halftime with New England ahead 1-0.
We lead at the half!#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/BQRnWq547n
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 2, 2024
The second half began with Nashville starting from the center circle. They quickly elected to launch the ball into New England’s defensive third.
Just six minutes into the second half, in 51st minute, New England added to their lead.
Milwaukee Messi coming in clutch
pic.twitter.com/vkfS7dlp0g
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 2, 2024
Forward Giacomo Vrioni found Esmir Bajraktarević with a fantastic cross-field pass. Bajraktarević, who trapped the ball, took 2 touches, and unleashed a rocket of a shot into the top right corner past goalkeeper #1 Joe Willis for the 2-0 advantage.
Less than 5 minutes later, drama ensued for New England. Nashville SC defender #18 Shaq Moore took a close range shot that was deflected by the hand of Revolution defender Xavier Arreaga. The ball clearly blocked a goal. The center referee initially gave a red card, but then went to VAR and changed the decision to a yellow card. The penalty kick was confirmed.
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 2, 2024
The ensuing penalty kick by Nashville SC midfielder #10 Hany Mukhtar minute was saved by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič in the bottom left corner and was cleared.
Midfielder Carles Gil had an opportunity entering the 61st minute when he miss-hit a shot that went high and wide of the net.
In the 62nd minute, Nashville SC interim head coach Rumba Munthali made his first two changes of the match by replacing midfielders #11 Tyler Boyd and #54 Sean Davis with midfielder #16 Dru Yearwood and forward #14 Jacob Schaffelburg.
Nashville’s next opportunity came in the 65th minute when midfielder #10 Hany Mukhtar’s corner kick delivery was met with a clearance by Mark-Anthony Kaye & Giacomo Vrioni.
Always good to see ya @TealBunB!!
pic.twitter.com/ggYwfVPixX
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 2, 2024
In the 72nd minute, Revolution midfielder Matt Polster was issued a yellow card.
Less than one minute later, Nashville SC interim head coach Rumba Munthali made his third changes of the match by replacing forward #19 Alex Muyl for forward #19 Teal Bunbury.
Less than one minute later after that, Nashville SC interim head coach Rumba Munthali made his fourth changes of the match by replacing midfielder #20 Aníbal Godoy with midfielder #6 Amar Sejdić.
In the 78th minute, drama ensued once more, with Nashville being given yet another penalty kick. Defender Dave Romney challenged defender Walker Zimmerman and made contact with his foot. A clear penalty kick.
Hany Mukhtar converts from the spot.
@NashvilleSC cuts the deficit in half. pic.twitter.com/fl8WqXlvGu
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 2, 2024
The ensuing penalty kick taken by Hany Mukhtar was buried into the bottom left corner past Aljaž Ivačič to pull one back for Nashville.
In the 81st minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by replacing Esmir Bajraktarević with Jonathan Mensah.
In the 87th minute, Revolution goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič was issued a yellow card for time wasting.
Goodnight Fam
pic.twitter.com/8tmKVHE78Z
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 2, 2024
In the 90+2 minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second change of the match by replacing Giacomo Vrioni with Bobby Wood.
Nashville’s next chance came in the 92nd minute when midfielder #10 Hany Mukhtar’s effort struck the post. The rebound then fell to #14 Jacob Shaffelburg and was blocked and then cleared.
In the 90+6 minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his third change of the match by replacing Dylan Borrero with Noel Buck.
Nashville had yet another chance in the 90+8 minute as #14 Jacob Shaffelburg’s effort was blocked by a sliding Jonathan Mensah.
After the 90+10 minutes, the match concluded with the Revolution holding on 2-1.
+3 on the road
#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/nTBuiIVr8u
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 2, 2024
With the result, the New England Revolution remain in last place in MLS.
Nashville SC forward Teal Bunbury exchanged jerseys postgame with Revolution defender Andrew Farrell. Bunbury played for New England from 2014-2021.
The New England Revolution (3-1-10, 10 pts.) return home to Foxborough, Massachusetts where they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side New York Red Bulls (7-5-3, 26 pts.) on Saturday, June 8th. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
