Revolution allow late equalizer in back-to-back weeks, drop points versus Minnesota United
FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (13-9-5, 48 pts.) were held to a 1-1 draw in a back-and-forth match versus Minnesota United (9-10-8, 37 pts.) in a match on Saturday night.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Allianz Field Stadium in Saint Paul, Minnesota to a crowd of 19,412.
How we’re lining up! pic.twitter.com/jOY1eIC7Sz
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 9, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 4-3-3 formation with Earl Edwards Jr. starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Omar Gonzalez, along with (right back) Matt Polster. The midfield spots were manned by Ian Harkes (left midfield), Mark-Anthony Kaye (right midfield), and Carles Gil (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Tomás Chancalay (left wing), Nacho Gil (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
Defender Andrew Farrell was out of the lineup due to re-aggravating his muscle strain.
Defender DeJuan Jones returned to the starting 11 after missing a few games with a right leg injury.
Midfielder Matt Polster returned to the lineup at right-back. He missed last match as his wife Brittany had gone into labor. The pair welcomed their new baby, Rocky Ryan Polster to the world on September 2nd.
1⃣1⃣ pic.twitter.com/Ep2vKoOhSn
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 10, 2023
The match began with New England starting from the center circle. Giacomo Vrioni played the ball backwards to Omar Gonzalez who elected to build out of the back with New England.
Minnesota’s first moment of the match came in the 7th minute when #10 Emmanuel Reynoso elected for a long-range effort that went just over the crossbar.
Less than one minute later, Minnesota had yet another chance when #31 Hassani Dotson’s right footed shot was saved comfortably by Revolution goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr.
New England’s first moment of the match was in the 9th minute when Giacomo Vrioni took on two defenders and elected for a right footed shot which was saved by Minnesota goalkeeper #97 Dayne St. Clair.
Entering the 11th minute, Earl Edwards Jr. made a fantastic save on Minnesota United midfielder #27 DJ Taylor.
In the 14th minute, Revolution defender DeJuan Jones was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul on #21 Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
The ensuing free kick found the head of #15 Michael Boxall, which was met by a save by Revolution goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr.
In the 25th minute, Revolution defender Omar Gonzalez was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul on #28 Ménder García.
In the 37th minute, New England took the early 1-0 lead.
LOS HERMANOS
pic.twitter.com/YHEedg3uRU
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 10, 2023
Following a ball played out wide by Matt Polster, midfielder Nacho Gil received the ball and played a low-driven ball into the box which found his brother, Carles Gil at the penalty spot for the right-footed shot that went into the top right corner past #97 Dayne St. Clair. This is Carles Gil’s 8th goal of the season.
Just 3 minutes later, New England had yet another chance when Tomás Chancalay’s right-footed shot struck the Minnesota crossbar.
After the 45 minutes, the match entered halftime with New England ahead of 1-o.
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— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 10, 2023
The second half began with Minnesota starting from the center circle. #24 Ján Greguš played the ball backwards to #15 Michale Boxall, who launched the ball up the field.
Minnesota had the first chance of the second half in the 54th minute when#10 Emmanuel Reynoso’s cross to the back post found #21 Bongokuhle Hlongwane, but his header went just wide of the right post.
Minnesota’s next chance came in the 63rd minute when former Revolution forward #18 Ismael Tajouri-Shradi’s long-range effort was met by a diving save by goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr.
In the 67th minute, Revolution head coach Richie Williams made his first two changes of the match by substituting midfielders Mark-Anthony Kaye and Nacho Gil and replacing them with defender Ryan Spaulding and midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević. Due to the substitution, Spaulding slid into right-back, Matt Polster moved into the midfield for Kaye, and Bajraktarević replaced Nacho Gil on the wing.
Less than one minute after entering the match, Esmir Bajraktarević’s right f00ted shot was met with a save by #97 Dayne St. Clair.
One of Minnesota’s best chances of the match came in the 71st minute when #21 Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s chip over Earl Edwards Jr. was met by a goal-line clearance by defender Omar Gonzalez.
In the 74th minute, Revolution head coach Richie Williams made his third and fourth changes of the match by substituting forward Giacomo Vrioni and midfielder Ian Harkes and replaced them with forward Bobby Wood and midfielder Tommy McNamara.
Just one minute later, Revolution goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. was issued a yellow card for time wasting.
One minute later, Revolution midfielder Matt Polster was issued a yellow card for #24 Ján Greguš.
In the 83rd minute, Minnesota had yet another chance when #18 Ismael Tajouri-Shradi had yet another chance that was saved by Earl Edwards Jr.
In the 87th minute, Revolution head coach Richie Williams made his fifth and final change of the match by substituting forward Tomás Chancalay and replacing him with defender Ben Sweat.
Entering the 93rd minute, Minnesota Untied leveled the match.
https://x.com/MLS/status/1700699314396205082?s=20
Midfielder #18 Ismael Tajouri-Shradi’s shot struck the face of defender Ben Sweat, bounced inside the box and was met by a shot by #24 Ján Greguš which was blocked by Dave Romney. The ball then found #97 Dayne St. Clair, who passed the ball to #7 Franco Fragapane, whose right-footed shot went into the bottom right corner for the goal. This is Fragapane’s 1st goal of the season.
Shortly after kickoff following the Minnesota United goal, the match ended 1-1.
Taking
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 10, 2023
The moment of the evening came less than 3o seconds after the match ended.
Revolution head coach Bruce Arena resigned from his position as Sporting Director and Head Coach of the New England Revolution due to the ongoing investigation against him for insensitive comments and inappropriate remarks.
Statement from the New England Revolution pic.twitter.com/6xX4SfR5NM
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 10, 2023
The New England Revolution (13-9-5, 48 pts.) head out to Commerce City, Colorado to face MLS Western Conference side Colorado Rapids (3-10-13, 19 pts.) in an MLS Match on Saturday, September 16th. The match kicks off in DSG Park at 7:30 p.m. ET 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
