FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (0-0-1, 0 pts.) were defeated 3-1 by D.C. United (1-0-0, 3 pts.) in a match on Saturday night.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. to a crowd of 20,000.
Our first XI of the 2024 @MLS season! #NERevs | #MLSisBack pic.twitter.com/o6kEb48DON
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 24, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Henrich Ravas starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Jonathan Mensah, along with (right back) Nick Lima. The midfield spots were manned by Matt Polster (left defensive midfield) and Noel Buck (right defensive midfield), with Carles Gil appeared ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Tomás Chancalay (left wing), Esmir Bajraktarević (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
Goalkeeper Henrich Ravas, defender Nick Lima, and defender Jonathan Mensah are making their MLS debuts with the club.
Defender Henry Kessler remains out with a Left Adductor Strain.
Midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye is OUT due to red-card suspension following the end of New England’s season in 2023.
Head Coach Caleb Porter is making his New England Revolution coaching debut.
The #StartingXI ? pic.twitter.com/8LPaHsyX48
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 25, 2024
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Forward Giacomo Vrioni elected to play the ball backwards to Matt Polster, who elected to launch the ball into the final third toward DeJuan Jones, whose 50-50 ball won them a throw-in.
The opening 10 minutes of the match were all D.C. United, as they dominated possession and drove multiple chances in the New England defensive third.
In the 12th minute, Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni was issued a yellow card for thwarting D.C. United attempting a quick restart.
New England’s first chance of the match came in the 17th minute when Tomás Chancalay received the ball inside the D.C. United penalty area, cut inside, and elected a right-footed shot that was saved by goalkeeper #24 Alex Bono out for a corner kick.
In the 20th minute, D.C. United believed that they had won a penalty kick. No check was made and play resumed.
In the 24th minute, Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni was issued a second yellow card for slide tackling D.C. United defender #97 Christopher McVey. With the red card, New England are down to 10 men for the remainder of the game. Horrific start to the season for Vrioni.
In the 33rd minute, D.C. United took the 1-0 advantage.
It's a game of inches. ?@ChrisBenteke gets UP for the header to give @dcunited the lead. ✔️
? #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/2fpBDjxFWz pic.twitter.com/CG5ouO01kM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 25, 2024
After a handful of chances, D.C. United defender #7 Pedro Santos service into the area found forward #20 Christian Benteke for a header. The downward header toward the goal was saved by Henrich Ravas, however, the ball was cleared, and no goal was the initial call. After VAR, D.C. United was awarded the goal.
In the 38th minute, Revolution midfielder Carles Gil was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul on D.C. United defender #8 Jared Stroud.
New England had a slight chance in the 42nd minute when Tomás Chancalay received the ball from Esmir Bajraktarević and elected a shot that struck a D.C. United player. There were appeals for handball, but it came to nothing and play resumed.
D.C. United had a massive chance in the 45+1 minute after forward #20 Christian Benteke headed the ball across the goal-line to find midfielder #8 Jared Stroud. His half volley attempt inside the 6-yard box hit the crossbar and went out for a goal kick. D.C. surely should have been up 2-0.
After 45 +5 minutes, the match entered halftime with D.C. United ahead 1-0.
Score at the half. pic.twitter.com/9H2VPQPKfy
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 25, 2024
The second half kicked off with D.C. United starting from the center circle. Midfielder #43 Mateusz Klich elected to play the ball backwards to goalkeeper #24 Alex Bono, who elected to launch the ball into the final third.
In the 46th minute, drama ensued as the New England Revolution were awarded a penalty kick.
Following a drive up the final third, Revolution midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević drove to the penalty area and went down just on the outside of the area after being tackled by D.C. United defender #7 Pedro Santos. Following a review by VAR, the referee reversed his decision and decided that it would be a freekick just outside the box. Due to the challenge, D.C. United defender #7 Pedro Santos was issued a yellow card. The ensuing freekick taken by Carles Gil went just wide of the net.
In the 54th minute, D.C. United midfielder #8 Jared Stroud was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul on Revolution midfielder Carles Gil.
Some great company here at The Dubliner for a season opener! ⚽️
Here’s to a second half with more to cheer for! ?? #nerevs pic.twitter.com/8myhWbq9pL
— The Battalion (@RevsBattalion) February 25, 2024
New England’s second chance of the half came in the 55th minute when Carles Gil’s freekick forced a save by #24 Alex Bono, which resulted in a New England corner kick.
D.C. United’s first chance of the half came in the 56th minute when midfielder #8 Jared Stroud’s half-volley attempt went just wide of the left post.
In the 59th minute, D.C. United had a major chance after #43 Mateusz Klich’s left footed attempt is met with a fantastic save by Revolution goalkeeper Henrich Ravas.
In the 60th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder Noel Buck with midfielder Ian Harkes.
New England had their best chance of the half in the 63rd minute when Esmir Bajraktarević’s delivery into the area was searching for Tomas Chancalay but was met with a diving block by #24 Alex Bono.
In the 65th minute, New England leveled the match with a fantastic goal.
Carles Gil with a GOLAZO! ?
? #MLSSeasonPass:https://t.co/2fpBDjxFWz pic.twitter.com/dwQB0T9HKB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 25, 2024
Driving through the middle of the park, midfielder Carles Gil unleashed an unbelievable curler of a left-footed shot that went directly into the top left corner of the match to level the scoreline at 1-1.
In the 66th minute, D.C. United interim head coach Zach Prince made his first change of the match by substituting defender #7 Pedro Santos for defender #12 William Conner Antley.
Entering the 72nd minute, D.C. United regained the lead.
Following a header by #12 William Conner Antley, the ball found #20 Christian Benteke at the back-post unmarked for a tap-in for his second goal of the match. There was controversy whether or not Benteke was onside, but the goal was given without a check by VAR.
Benteke brace! ⚽️⚽️@dcunited retake the lead. pic.twitter.com/MBEMv7lT6P
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 25, 2024
Following the goal, D.C. United interim head coach Zach Prince made his second and third changes of the match by substituting midfielders #21 Theodore Ku-DiPietro and #10 Gabriel Pirani for forwards #27 Kristian Fletcher and #11 Cristian Dájome.
In the 76th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second change of the match by substituting midfielder Matt Polster for midfielder Emmanuel Boateng.
Just one minute later, D.C. United forward #27 Kristian Fletcher was issued a yellow card for fouling Revolution midfielder Carles Gil.
Entering the 83rd minute, D.C. United interim head coach Zach Prince made his fourth change of the match by substituting midfielder #8 Jared Stroud for midfielder #25 Jackson Hopkins.
Just four minutes later, in the 87th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his third and fourth change of the match by substituting midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević and defender Nick Lima for midfielder Nacho Gil and defender Ryan Spaulding.
In the 90th minute, Revolution midfielder Ian Harkes was issued a yellow card for a challenge on #11 Cristian Dájome.
Entering the 93rd minute, D.C. United added to their lead.
HAT-TRICK FOR @ChrisBenteke! ? pic.twitter.com/xjU1aYp0Hk
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 25, 2024
Following a 50-50 win by #22 Aaron Herrera over Emmanuel Boateng, he elected to cross the ball into the box. His delivery into the box found forward #20 Christian Benteke who contested for a header with goalkeeper Henrich Ravas. His header went directly into the top right corner of the net. This is Benteke’s third goal of the match, a hat-trick for Benteke.
After the 90+7 minutes, D.C. United held on for the 3-1 victory.
Final. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/3PbHSsP0uJ
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 25, 2024
With the result, New England moves to 38W-40L-16D all-time against D.C. United.
The New England Revolution (0-0-1, 0pts.) return home to Gillette Stadium for leg 2 of their Concacaf Champions Cup campaign. They currently lead 1-0 on aggregate over Club Atlético Independiente de La Chorrera. The second leg is set to kickoff at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, February 27th at 8:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
