VAR drama leads to 2-1 defeat versus New York Red Bulls

FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (10-7-4, 37 pts.) were defeated 2-1 in an MLS match versus the New York Red Bulls (6-8-7, 26 pts.) in a match on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey to a crowd of 20,014.

XI in NY 😤

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 8, 2023

The team started their lineup in a 4-4-2 formation with Đorđe Petrović starting in net with a backline of (left back) Ben Sweat, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Andrew Farrell, along with (right back) Brandon Bye. The midfield consisted of Emmanuel Boateng (left midfield), Matt Polster (central left midfield), Latif Blessing (central right midfield) and Esmir Bajraktarevic (right midfield). The forward roles were manned by Bobby Wood (Left) and Gustavo Bou (Right)

Midfielder Noel Buck remained out of the lineup due to a lingering leg injury.

Defender DeJuan Jones remained out of the lineup as he is currently with the United States Men’s National Team, competing in the Concacaf Gold Cup.

Midfielder captain Carles Gil was unavailable for tonight’s match due to yellow card accumulation. He will be back for Wednesday’s match versus Atlanta United.

Our XI for tonight! 🙌

Watch Live on @AppleTV | https://t.co/wlvAwuSrFz pic.twitter.com/GhjLZ9vMQb

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 8, 2023

The match began with the New York Red Bulls starting from the center circle. #13 Dante Vanzeir started from the center circle and played the ball all the way back to goalkeeper #1 Carlos Coronel. He launched the ball into the Revolution defensive-third, as the ball was won by defender Dave Romney and was headed away for a New York throw-in.

In the 6th minute, New England Revolution forward Bobby Wood entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a foul on New York Red Bulls defender #15 Sean Nealis.

New England’s first moment of the match came in the 8th minute when Emmanuel Boateng’s delivery found Esmir Bajraktarevic unmarked at the back post, but his volley went over the bar.

New York had their first chance of the match in the 26th minute when Red Bull defender #4 Andrés Reyes got past Andrew Farrell. His header from the corner kick was fantastically saved by goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović.

The next moment of the match came when Emmanuel Boateng got in behind and his heavy touch forced #1 Carlos Coronel to make a save out for a corner kick.

After the 45 minutes, the match entered halftime with the scoreline level at 0-0.

First 45′ down.#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/XW4zezL6gd

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 9, 2023

The second half began with the Revolution starting from the center circle. Gustavo Bou took the kickoff and sent the ball to Dave Romney, who then launched the ball into the Red Bull defensive third.

Red Bull had the first moment of the second half just 1 minute in when #13 Dante Vanzeir got past Ben Sweat. His chip went inches wide of the Revolution goal.

In the 58th minute, the New York Red Bulls broke the 0-0 deadlock.

From defense to offense. Frankie has us on the board with his third goal in three matches! 😤@Audi I #RBNY https://t.co/aWhjzQYSdx pic.twitter.com/8MXUQMQptZ

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) July 9, 2023

Red Bull midfielder #82 Luquinhas played the ball wide to forward #13 Dante Vanzeir. His delivery into the box was won by midfielder #8 Frankie Amaya, who managed to outjump Ben Sweat to head it home past Đorđe Petrović.

Following the goal, in the 61st minute, New England Revolution midfielder Latif Blessing was issued a straight red card following a studs-up challenge that connected to the midsection of New York Red Bull midfielder #8 Frankie Amaya. The Revolution would play the remaining 30 minutes down to 10-men.

Latif Blessing has been given a red card #NERevs pic.twitter.com/RJezgDhrDR

— Seth (@SethMan31) July 9, 2023

In the 68th minute, Head Coach Bruce Arena made four substitutions. Defender Ben Sweat, midfielders Emmanuel Boateng and Esmir Bajraktarevic, and forward Bobby Wood were replaced by Ryan Spaulding, Ian Harkes, Justin Rennicks, and Giacomo Vrioni. This is Ian Harkes first career appearance with the New England Revolution. He was signed just 3 days ago.

Just a minute after the substitutions, Red Bull forward #74 Tom Barlow’s first-time effort forced a save by Revolution goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović.

In the 75th minute, New England leveled the match!

🅱️🅱️ ties it up! pic.twitter.com/ozXgsRrMh4

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 9, 2023

Following a corner kick taken by Gustavo Bou, defender Brandon Bye won a headed duel over #17 Cameron Harper for a goal past #1 Carlos Coronel.

In the 74th minute, New York Red Bulls defender #4 Andrés Reyes entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a foul on forward Gustavo Bou. Just 30 seconds later, New York Red Bulls defender #17 Cameron Harper entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a foul on defender Ryan Spaulding.

In the 82nd minute, New York Red Bulls defender #6 Kyle Duncan entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a foul on forward Gustavo Bou.

In the 84th minute, the Red Bulls regained the lead.

Wiki golazo to give us the lead late!@Audi I #RBNY https://t.co/VFf5jOX2Cu pic.twitter.com/9VXNNrdwJw

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) July 9, 2023

Midfielder #21 Omir Fernandez played the ball centrally to #19 Wikelman Carmona. His left-footed shot deflected off the leg of Revolution midfielder Ian Harkes, which caused the ball to launch into the upper top corner, off the bar, and into the Revolution goal. Goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović did not even attempt move.

The Red Bulls almost added to their lead in the 88th minute when #6 Kyle Duncan launched a volley that went just wide of the Revolution post.

Entering the 92nd minute, the Revolution believed that they had tied the match.

I know it was ruled offside but Andrew Farrell deserved the goal #NERevs pic.twitter.com/X97Jl97zn1

— Seth (@SethMan31) July 9, 2023

Following a corner kick taken by Gustavo Bou, the ball bounced outside of the box and was hit one-time by defender Andrew Farrell. His shot struck the post and went past #1 Carlos Coronel. After a controversial VAR decision, the goal was overturned. Commentator Taylor Twellman believes this was the wrong decision.

After the 90 +3 added minutes, the match ended in a 2-1 New York Red Bull victory.

In regard to historic marks, defender Andrew Farrell marked his 350th career appearance in a New England Revolution uniform.

The New England Revolution (10-7-4, 37 pts.) return to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to face Atlanta United (9-8-5, 35 pts.) in an MLS Match on Wednesday, July 12th. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium 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)