FOXBOROUGH, MA— The New England Revolution II (1-0-2, 3 pts.) were defeated 2-1 by FC Cincinnati 2 (1-1-2, 4 pts.) by a score of 2-1 on Sunday.
The match kicked off at 6:00 p.m. ET at Northern Kentucky University Stadium in Highland Heights, Kentucky.
Wednesday night's lineup ⬇️
⏰ 6:00 p.m. ET
? https://t.co/tBw1IXCtVn pic.twitter.com/AQvuKez1Rc— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) April 10, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-3-3 formation with goalkeeper Max Weinstein starting in the net with a backline of (left back) Hesron Barry, (center backs) Victor Souza and Santiago Suarez, along with (right back) Damario McIntosh. The midfield consisted of Patrick Leal (left), Lucas Maciel (center), and Cristiano Oliveira (right). The forward roles were manned by Malcolm Fry (left), Marcos Dias (right), and Andrej Bjelajac (central) as the lone striker.
Defender Victor Souza wore the captain’s armband.
First team player Malcolm Fry and Santiago Suarez started the match with Joshua Bolma starting on the bench.
Midweek matchday in the Midwest ?
? FC Cincinnati 2
⏰ 6 p.m. ET
? https://t.co/QxVcCllwyY#NERevsII Match Preview: https://t.co/JkYTo6VLtE pic.twitter.com/LHTeUo59Kr— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) April 10, 2024
The match began with FC Cincinnati starting from the center circle. They elected to build out of the back to start the match.
Just 4 minutes into the match, New England gained the early lead.
.@NERevolution2 love an early goal ?
Dias heads home the opener from close range! pic.twitter.com/OrSOa6vEAs
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) April 10, 2024
Following a back-post cross by Patrick Leal, the ball was met with a header by Demario McIntosh which gifted a free header for Marcos Dias to gain the lead for New England.
New England had yet another opportunity just one minute later after Malcolm Fry’s effort was met with a save by #30 Hunter Morse.
Cincinnati’s first chance came in the 7th minute when midfielder #44 Ben Stitz shot was blocked by Victor Souza.
Just 8 minutes later, FC Cincinnati leveled the match.
Absolutely LOVE to see it ?? pic.twitter.com/oJoP2oRk3X
— FC Cincinnati 2 (@FCCincinnati2) April 10, 2024
Following a shot by midfielder #49 Peter Mangione which was saved by Max Weinstein, the ball rebounded to find midfielder #42 Amir Daley for the easy finish.
New England’s next chance following the goal came in the 29th minute when the back post ball looking for Andrej Bjelejac was blocked and cleared.
Two minutes later, in 31st minute, FC Cincinnati defender #96 Gaël Gibert was issued a yellow card.
Just 5 minutes later, in the 36th minute, the Revolution were met with consequences.
Following a 50-50 ball between midfielder #42 Amir Daley and defender Hesron Barry, Daley placed hands on Barry, to which the defender elected to head-butt the midfielder. The center official immediately issued a straight red card to the Revolution II defender, meaning that New England would play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
From the altercation, FC Cincinatti midfielder #42 Amir Daley was issued a yellow card.
Just 3 minutes later, FC Cincinatti took the lead.
Twice as nice. ? pic.twitter.com/Z9HvPQnrRP
— FC Cincinnati 2 (@FCCincinnati2) April 10, 2024
Following a poor clearance by Malcolm Fry, FC Cincinnati midfielders #44 Ben Stitz and #42 Amir Daley combined in a give-and-go for Daley to find the bar-down finish, for his second goal of the match.
Just before halftime, FC Cincinnati midfielder #37 Stiven Jimenez and Revolution II forward Andrej Bjelajac were both issued yellow cards.
After the 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime with FC Cincinnati leading 2-1.
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) April 10, 2024
Entering the second half, Revolution II head coach Richie Williams made 4 changes in the match by replacing Cristiano Oliveira, Marcos Dias, Andrej Bjelajac, and Patrick Leal with Colby Quiñones, Luka Borovic, Gevork Diarbian and Joshua Bolma.
FC Cincinnati head coach Tyrone Marshall also made 2 changes by replacing midfielders #41 Nico Benalcazar and #15 Bret Halsey with midfielder #52 Yair Perez and defender #64 Connor Stout.
The second half began with New England starting from the center circle and building out of the back to start the half.
FC Cincinatti’s first chance came when the delivery to defender #64 Connor Stout, which was cleared.
Their next chance came in the 57th minute when midfielder #43 Jesús Castellanos’ effort was met with a save by Max Weinstein.
New England’s first chance came in the 69th minute when his effort was sent over the cross bar.
In the 71st minute, FC Cincinnati II head coach Tyrone Marshall made his 3rd change of the match by replacing #64 Connor Stout for forward #45 Moises Tablante. Stout played 26 minutes in the match.
Cincinnati had yet another chance in the 74th minute when the freekick delivery into the area deluded everybody.
In the 77th minute, Revolution II head coach Richie Williams made final change of the match by replacing Malcolm Fry with Alex Monis.
Rain never bothered us anyway. pic.twitter.com/vStGhDiFUm
— FC Cincinnati 2 (@FCCincinnati2) April 10, 2024
In the 79th minute, FC Cincinnati II head coach Tyrone Marshall made his 4th change of the match by replacing midfielder #37 Stiven Jimenez for midfielder #40 Alejandro Guido.
New England’s best chance of the half came in the 84th minute when Joshua Bolma’s delivery into the area towards Monis was saved by #30 Hunter Morse.
In the 88th minute, FC Cincinnati II head coach Tyrone Marshall made his final change of the match by replacing midfielder #49 Peter Mangione with midfielder #50 Yeiner Valoyes.
Just 3 minutes later, in the 90+1 minute, Revolution II forward Alex Monis was issued a yellow card.
After the 90+4 minutes, the match ended with FC Cincinnati holding onto the 2-1 victory.
Final. pic.twitter.com/UF5i5eNKCa
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) April 10, 2024
Richie Williams and the New England Revolution II (1-0-2, 3 pts.) head out to Queens, New York to face Eastern Conference side New York City FC II (0-1-1, 2 pts.). The match will kick off at Belson Soccer Stadium at 7:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, April 14th. For more MLS NEXT Pro content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
