Revolution DP’s dominate, lead team to 3-1 victory over Orlando City SC

FOXBOROUGH, MA–The New England Revolution (9-6-3, 33 pts.) were victorious in a 3-1 match versus Orlando City SC (7-5-5, 26 pts.) in an MLS Match on Saturday, June 17th.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA to a crowd of 21,492.

Tonight’s XI 👏

Watch Live on @AppleTV | https://t.co/pVsMRBJkoQ#NEvORL 0-0 pic.twitter.com/BjhrdBZSbS

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 17, 2023

The team started their lineup in a 4-4-2 formation with Earl Edwards Jr. starting in net with a backline of DeJuan Jones (left back), Dave Romney and Andrew Farrell at the center back positions, and Brandon Bye (right back). The defensive midfield position was manned by Matt Polster. The center midfield roles were manned by Emmanuel Boateng (left), Noel Buck (right) and captain Carles Gil played ahead of them in the central attacking role. The striker duo was Bobby Wood (left) and Gustavo Bou (right).

Goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. replaces goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović, who is away on international duty with his native Serbia.

Defender Brandon Bye (4 games) and midfielder Noel Buck (2 games) return to the lineup from injuries.

Midfielder Latif Blessing is out of tonight’s match due to an injury that was sustained in training.

The Revolution enter today’s match 2nd in MLS with first half goals.

The match began with Orlando City SC starting from the center circle. Their forward took the central kick and played it directly backwards to their goalkeeper #31 Mason Stajduhar. He then sent the ball directly up the field into the Revolution defensive third which was initially won by Brandon Bye and midfielder Matt Polster

In just the 3rd minute of the match, Orlando City SC midfielder #5 César Araújo entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a foul on midfielder Carles Gil.

The ensuing freekick taken by Carles Gil was the first chance of the match for New England, as his effort was just off target.

The first moment of the match for Orlando City came in the 17th minute when #11 Martín Ojeda stood over the ball for a freekick. His left footed chance went just wide of the right post.

New England’s next chance came 3 minutes later, in the 20th minute as DeJuan Jones found Gustavo Bou open atop the Orlando City SC penalty area. Bou’s shot was comfortably saved by goalkeeper #31 Mason Stajduhar.

In the 22nd minute, Orlando City SC defender #26 Michael Halliday entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a foul on defender DeJuan Jones.

New England’s next chance came in the 27th minute when Noel Buck took on two defenders before unleashing a left-footed shot that just missed the Orlando City goal.

After the 27th minute, there were very little chances, and the match entered halftime level with the scoreline set at 0-0.

The match entered halftime with the scoreline level at 0-0. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution.

Entering the second half, head coach Bruce Arena made his first substitution by replacing defender Brandon Bye and replacing him with defender Omar Gonzalez. It is reported that Brandon was feeling muscle tightness, and the replacement was a precautionary measure.

The second half began with New England starting from the center circle. Forward Gustavo Bou played the ball directly backwards to midfielder Matt Polster. He then played the ball wide left to defender DeJuan Jones, who played it backwards to Romney, to then Gonzalez, who then sent the ball up the field into the Orlando City SC defensive third.

Just minutes into the second half, New England broke the 0-0 deadlock.

GOATENG 🐐⚽️ pic.twitter.com/5pK6NFFoH8

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 18, 2023

The attack started with Noel Buck playing it back to Andrew Farrell. He then played the ball into Carles Gil who slid the ball into Gustavo Bou. His low driven attempt into the area looking for Bobby Wood was saved by goalkeeper #31 Mason Stajduhar. His save deflected the ball to the top of the 18-yard-box, which was met by a first-time volley by Revolution midfielder Emmanuel Boateng. His shot went straight into the bottom right corner past goalkeeper #31 Mason Stajduhar.

Foxboro, Massachusetts: New England Revolution midfielder Ema Boateng (18) flies through the air in a MLS game between the New England Revolution and Orlando City SC at Gillette Stadium on June 17, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky

Orlando’s first chance of the second half came in the 62nd minute when #8 Felipe played the ball outside to #77 Iván Angulo. His ball into the area bounced twice near #11 Martín Ojeda. The ball was then headed by #26 Michael Halliday to set up #11 Martín Ojeda for a spectacular attempt at a highlight reel volley. His effort was met with a fantastic save by Revolution goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr.

In the 68th minute, New England added to their lead.

BOU IS BACK! 🐾🐾🐾 pic.twitter.com/GfFf7q299m

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 18, 2023

Midfielder Carles Gil played a ball wide to find Noel Buck. He then played the ball to Gustavo Bou, who faked a service into the area, cut inside and unleashed a left footed shot that went rocketing past #31 Mason Stajduhar.

The Revolution were met with another chance minutes after Bou’s goal after Gustavo played a through ball to forward Bobby Wood. His effort went just wide of the left post.

Entering the 75th minute, head coach Bruce Arena made his second substitution of the match by replacing forward Bobby Wood and replacing him with designated player forward Giacomo Vrioni.

In the 79th minute, Orlando City got one back.

What a header from @DuncanMcGuire5 😤

📺 Watch #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/6JBNSEmepa pic.twitter.com/foqJbUbRn8

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 18, 2023

Orlando City SC midfielder #8 Felipe Martins played a ball to #7 Ramiro Enrique. He one-time set up a pass for #26 Michael Halliday who sent a service into the area to find #13 Duncan Maguire. His downward header went just past Earl Edwards Jr. into the bottom right corner to make the scoreline 2-1.

Entering the 84th minute, Revolution midfielder Noel Buck entered the referee’s booklet by receiving a yellow card for tripping #20 Luca Petrasso, who was trying to start a quick counterattack following a foul by Andrew Farrell.

Following the Orlando City freekick, New England added to their lead once again, with a fantastic counterattack by their designated player trio.

Let’s get another look bc why not… pic.twitter.com/fS7ysD1LJD

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 18, 2023

Following a scuffed cross by #10, the pass was broken up by defender DeJuan Jones. His clearance out of the box was quickly met by forward Giacomo Vrioni. He quickly took 1 touch before sending forward Gustavo Bou on a breakaway on the left flank of the field. Bou took 3 touches before sending the ball across the field to find Carles Gil on the right flank. Carles then took 2 touches before unleashing a left-footed curler into the left corner of the net past goalkeeper #31 Mason Stajduhar.

Foxboro, Massachusetts: New England Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni (9) races towards the net in a MLS game between the New England Revolution and Orlando City SC at Gillette Stadium on June 17, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky

In the 93rd minute, Revolution goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. entered the referee’s booklet by receiving a yellow card for time wasting.

Just seconds after Earl Edwards Jr.’s yellow card, the match ended with New England defeating Orlando City SC by a score of 3-1.

THE SECOND HALF👀❌🤯#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/YDKYXBtL7F

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 18, 2023

With this result, the Revolution have moved into 3rd place in the MLS Eastern Conference, and currently sit in 4th place across the entire league.

The New England Revolution (9-6-3, 33 pts.) remain in Foxborough, MA to face Toronto FC (3-10-5, 19 pts.) in an MLS Match on Saturday, June 24th. The match kicks off 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)