Chester, Pa
Union – 1
New England – 0
Saturday evening saw the Union’s elegant, short passes vanish, and both teams seemed at a loss for accuracy in that department. That said, it was a long pass from Haris Medunjanin to a just on sides Cory Burke that broke the draw. The flag went up, but the whistle was quiet. New England’s defense relaxed and let Burke side-step a reclining Matt Turner to pass into a wide open net.
MLS referees first used VAR to reverse a play during a Union game last year. This year, the lesson learned by New England the hard way is to play to the whistle, not to the flag. While in theory a head official can reverse an offsides call made by the assistant ref on the lines — leading to the same lesson — it would be a rare event for the ref to overrule a line call of offsides (as opposed to changing an onside ruling). VAR changed all that, and the Union benefitted once again.
The Union’s Andre Blake had a terrific game, saving two low shots in the second half that another keeper might have missed. It also was nice to see Keegan Rosenberry taking more shots. It’s only a matter of time before the shots start going in.
New England’s Juan Agudelo splitting the Union’s Auston Trusty and Ray Gaddis.
New England’s Diego Fagundez advancing the ball toward the Union’s box.
Trusty elevated over both Gaddis and the Revolution’s Cristian Penilla.
After a long pass from Medunjanin, Cory Burke manuvered around Turner.
For a simple pass into the goal.
Sometimes it seems like Union fans don’t care if Ilsinho scores, they just want to see him dribble through defenders. Shown here passing New England’s Brandon Bye.
Also having a good night was Rosenberry, heading the ball here.
