Monis and Dias lead Revolution II to victory over Chicago Fire FC II
FOXBOROUGH, MA— The New England Revolution II (3-1-3, 11 pts.) were victorious 3-2 over Chicago Fire FC II (3-3-1, 10 pts) on Saturday afternoon.
The match kicked off at 1:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
How we're kicking off from Gillette Stadium
https://t.co/UvUxQovexD pic.twitter.com/vrCNUjXcbK
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 4, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-3-3 formation with goalkeeper JD Gunn starting in the net with a backline of (left back) Hesron Barry, (center backs) Eric Klein and Santiago Suarez, along with (right back) Damario McIntosh. The midfield consisted of Luka Borovic (left), Lucas Maciel (center), and Patrick Leal (right). The forward roles were manned by Gevork Diarbian (left), Alex Monis (right), and Marcos Dias (central) as the lone striker.
Defender Victor Souza was suspended for today’s match due to suspension.
Midfielder Lucas Maciel wore the captain’s armband.
First team player Santiago Suarez started the match while Malcolm Fry and Joshua Bolma began the match on the bench.
Saturday's starters
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 4, 2024
The match began with New England starting from the center circle and launching the ball into Chicago’s defensive third.
Chicago’s first chance of the match came in the 5th minute when forward #51 David Tchétchao’s header went just wide of the goal.
In just the 11th minute, Chicago Fire head coach Ludovic Taillandier made his first change of the match by replacing forward #44 Jason Shokalook with midfielder #53 Peter Soudan due to an injury.
New England’s first chance came in the 11th minute when Gevork Diarbian’s effort was blocked by goalkeeper #70 Patrick Los.
New England had yet another scoring opportunity in the 19th minute when Monis’ delivery into the area toward Patrick Leal was hit and went just over the bar.
Chicago’s next chance came in the 34th minute following a poor giveaway by New England, though forward #50 Christian Koffi’s effort went wide of the goal.
In the 39th minute, New England took the lead.
Alex Monis gets us on the board with his second of the season
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 4, 2024
After receiving a through-ball, Marcos Dias backheeled the ball to Gevork Diarbian who then slid it across the 6-yard-box to a wide-open Alex Monis for the tap-in goal. A wonderful team goal by New England.
Just before halftime, Chicago Fire head coach Ludovic Taillandier made his second change of the match by replacing defender #41 Jean Diouf with defender #59 Romain Blake.
New England had a clear chance to score in the final minute of the half when Gevork Diarbian’s effort was blocked off the line and cleared.
After the 45+7 minutes, New England entered halftime ahead 1-0.
Up at the half
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 4, 2024
The second half began with Chicago building out of the back to start the half.
Just one minute into the second half, Revolution II midfielder Lucas Maciel was issued a yellow card.
Chicago had the first chance of the half in the 50th minute when a corner kick delivery was cleared by Hesron Barry. The next ensuing corner was high and wide.
In the 54th minute, New England added to their lead.
Revenge of the Monis
The 21-year-old doubles @NERevolution2's advantage with a brilliant strike. pic.twitter.com/KUBrTrkv1j
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 4, 2024
Following a poor give-away, Alex Monis collected the ball and unleashed a left-footer that struck the bottom right post and in for his second goal of the match.
Chicago’s next chance came in the 57th minute when forward #59 Romaine Blake’s effort was too high.
In the 64th minute, Chicago Fire head coach Ludovic Taillandier made his third change of the match by replacing midfielder #46 Juan Calle with midfielder #45 Harold Osario
Just one minute later, in the 65th minute, Revolution II head coach Richie Williams made his first two changes of the match by replacing Luka Borovic and Hesron Barry with Cristiano Oliveira and Moshtaba Al-Hasnawi. This is Al-Hasnawi’s Revolution II debut.
In the 66th minute, Chicago pulled one back.
.@ChicagoFireFCII strikes back!
Diego Konincks blasts a low drive home for the fire. pic.twitter.com/9ZbCQudYxv
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 4, 2024
Following a comer kick delivery, the ball was poorly cleared and poorly shot. Though the poor shot found a teammate, #42 Diego Konicks for a close-range shot and goal.
In the 69th minute, Revolution II head coach Richie Williams made his next two changes of the match by replacing Gevork Diarbian and Patrick Leal with Joshua Bolma and Colby Quiñones.
Just 7 minutes later, in the 77th minute, Revolution II head coach Richie Williams made his fifth change of the match by replacing Alex Monis with Olger Escobar.
New England’s next chance came in the 82nd minute when Marcos Dias’ effort in the area was blocked.
In the 84th minute, Chicago Fire head coach Ludovic Taillandier made his final change of the match by replacing forward #51 David Tchétchao with forward #58 Michael Nesci.
Entering the 87th minute, Chicago leveled the match.
WE'RE LEVEL IN FOXBOROUGH!
The Osorio and Soudan connection keeps Chicago in the game. pic.twitter.com/u7aemFOPBc
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 4, 2024
The ball fell beautifully for midfielder #45 Harold Osario who combined with midfielder #53 Peter Soudan for the calm finish into the bottom left corner to level the match.
In the 90+1 minute, Revolution II head coach Richie Williams made his final change of the match by replacing Joshua Bolma with Alexandru Pârvu.
Drama ensued in the 93rd minute when New England were given a controversially penalty kick.
MARCOS DIAS FROM THE SPOT FOR @NERevolution2!
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 4, 2024
Following a ball in the area, both Oliveira and Dias were fouled in the area and a penalty was given.
Dias stepped up to take the penalty and buried it into the bottom right corner for a Revolution II record, his 18th career goal, for the 3-2 advantage.
Following the goal, Revolution II forward Marcos Dias was issued a yellow card.
Chicago had one final chance to level the match in the 90+8 minute when midfielder #53 Peter Soudan’s effort was rolled to goalkeeper JD Gunn.
After the 90+9 minutes, the match ended with New England victorious 3-2.
The force was strong with @NERevolution2 at Gillette Stadium.
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 4, 2024
With the result, New England move to 7th in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Standings.
Richie Williams and the New England Revolution II (3-1-3, 11 pts.) head out to Matthews, North Carolina to face Eastern Conference side Crown Legacy FC (1-3-3, 8 pts.). The match will kick off at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews at 7:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday, May 8th. For more MLS NEXT Pro content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
