FOXBOROUGH, MA— The New England Revolution II (2-0-0, 6pts.) defeated New York City FC II (0-1-0, 0pts.) in a 2-1 victory on Sunday Night.
The match kicked off at 8:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Sunday night soccer ?️ pic.twitter.com/puVThFNBwh
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) April 2, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 4-3-3 formation with goalkeeper Nico Campuzano starting in the net with a backline of (left back) Peyton Miller, (center backs) Pierre Cayet and Tiago Suarez, along with (right back) Victor Souza. The midfield consisted of Noble Okello (left), Captain Jake Rozhansky (center), and Joshua Bolma (right). The forward roles were manned by Damien Rivera (left), Marcos Dias (right), and Jordan Adebayo-Smith as the lone striker.
15-year-old defender Peyton Miller started in his second consecutive match with the Revolution II. Last week, he was the youngest player to make his professional debut with the Revolution II at 15 years and 138 days old.
The squad today featured 3 first-team players. Joshua Bolma and Damien Rivera started the match, and Esmir Bajraktarevic started on the bench.
Sunday's starters ? pic.twitter.com/ge84AFa5Jw
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) April 3, 2023
The match kicked off with NYCFC starting from the center circle, moving the ball back toward their backline, and moving across the center of the field.
The Revolution II broke the 0-0 deadlock and struck first in the 23rd minute. Forward Damien Rivera hit a cross-field chipped through ball to Marcos Dias. He took two touches and shielded the ball from NYCFC II’s #42 Piero Elias and sent a low-driven cross into the six-yard box to find Jordan Adebayo-Smith, who slotted the ball past NYCFC II goalkeeper #54 Alex Rando, for his first goal of the 2023 campaign.
Dias ? Jordan Adebayo-Smith
1-0 @NERevolution2 pic.twitter.com/h1aD0hmJAQ
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) April 3, 2023
In the 40th minute, NYCFC II midfielder #33 Nicholas Benalcazar entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a harsh foul.
In the 42nd minute, NYCFC II leveled the match with a sensational free-kick goal. Following a foul atop the 18-yard box, NYCFC II’s #38 John Denis stepped up and took the right-footed freekick, and sent it past Campuzano into the top right corner. His goal is in contention for Goal of the Matchday 2
Denis hits the curler to level the match! ?
1-1 @NYCFCII pic.twitter.com/s8v3iCFThG
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) April 3, 2023
In the 45th minute, NYCFC II midfielder #42 Piero Elias entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a harsh foul. Revolution II captain midfielder Jake Rozhansky also entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for arguing with the officials.
The match entered halftime with the New England Revolution II level with NYCFC II 1-1.
HALFTIME:#NERevsII 1 | NYC 1
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) April 3, 2023
The second half kicked off with the Revolution II kicking the ball backward toward their midfield sending the ball up into the NYCFC II defensive third.
In the 50th minute, Head Coach Clint Peay made his first change of the match half by substituting midfielder Noble Okello for midfielder Esmir Bajraktarevic.
In the 69th minute, NYCFC II thought they had broken the deadlock. Following a through ball down the left flank of the Revolution attacking 3rd to #39 Matthew Meyrs, he then played a centering ball atop of the 18-yard box to find #38 John Denis who took one touch to round midfielder Jake Rozhansky and took a right-footed shot that struck the right post. The ball then bounced back into the six-yard box and was cleared by defender Victor Souza.
In the 71st minute, Head Coach Clint Peay made his second and third changes of the match half by substituting forwards Jordan Adebayo-Smith and Marcos Dias for forwards Malcolm Fry and Weverton.
"It's strictly business." – Esmir Bajraktarević ? pic.twitter.com/dYFmv1YF1V
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) April 3, 2023
Just three minutes later, in the 72nd minute, NYCFC struck the post once again. Following yet another through ball, this time, a chip through ball by NYCFC II’s #30 Samuel Owusu, the ball found #27 Jonathan Jimenez inside of the Revolution 18-yard box and his shot struck the top right crossbar. The ball deflected back down into the box and was cleared once again.
Seven minutes later, in the 79th minute, New England Revolution II defender Peyton Miller received a yellow card for time wasting.
Four minutes later, In the 84th minute, New England Revolution II forward Damien Rivera received a yellow card for a foul on NYCFC II ———–.
In the 87th minute, Head Coach Clint Peay made his fourth and final change of the match half by substituting captain midfielder Jake Rozhansky for midfielder Ben Awashie.
Just one minute later, in the 88th minute, the New England Revolution II found the winner. Following a spectacular cross-field pass by 15-year-old Peyton Miller, the ball found 17-year-old forward Malcolm Fry who then connected with 18-year-old Esmir Bajraktarevic whose left-footed toe poke past NYCFC II goalkeeper #54 Alex Rando. The entire sequence involved New England Revolution Academy players that have progressed through their pathway program.
What a goal! ?
Esmir Bajraktarevic slots it home to put @NERevolution2 in front! 2-1 pic.twitter.com/onCe9opqVF
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) April 3, 2023
After the three added minutes, the New England Revolution II held on to defeat New York City FC II 2-1.
Esmir Bajraktarevic scores the game-winner for @NERevolution2 to claim all 3⃣ points! pic.twitter.com/uO09mezwC1
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) April 3, 2023
The New England Revolution II finished the match with 41% possession, 9 shots (4 on target), 384 total passes (79.4% accuracy), 10 crosses, 5 corners, and 2 total offsides. Defensively the squad had 39 duels won, 6 tackles won, 5 saves, 2 clearances, 13 fouls, and 3 yellow cards.
For Revolution II fans, the team’s general admission tickets go on sale on Friday, March 24th beginning at $10 per match or $98 for a full-season plan including all 14 home games. Revolution Season Members have access to discounted Revolution II tickets. Fans can visit Revolutionsoccer.net/tickets for more information.
The New England Revolution II (2-0-0, 6pts.) will look to continue their hot start in their 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign as the squad remains home at Gillette Stadium to face Philadelphia Union II (0-2-0, 0pts) on April 10th at 1:00 p.m. All MLS, MLS NEXT Pro matches will be available through the new MLS Streaming Service on the Apple TV app.
New England Revolution
New York City FC
