FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution II were victorious in a 4-3 match versus the Philadelphia Union II in an MLS Match on Saturday, May 21st.
The match kicked off at 2:30 p.m. ET at Subaru Park in Chester, PA
Afternoon match vs. Philly ?#NERevsII Match Preview: https://t.co/eJSDJKfZl6 pic.twitter.com/YbXGlmdJvd
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 21, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 3-4-3 formation with Jacob Jackson starting in net with a backline of Peyton (center backs) Pierre Cayet, Victor Souza, and Santiago Suarez. The wingback roles were manned by Peyton Miller (left) and Joshua Bolma (right). The midfield consisted of Esmir Bajraktarević (left midfield), and Jake Rozhansky (right midfield). The attacking roles were manned by Damian Rivera (left attacking wing), Marcos Dias (right winger), and Jordan Adebayo-Smith as the lone striker.
Big day for Jacob Jackson, who returns to action for the first time since last July after recovering from ACL surgery. #NERevs 1st rd SuperDraft pick was MLS NEXT Pro GK of the Month last May after keeping five straight clean sheets. Watch his return at 3 pm ET. ?? https://t.co/kY10zkpmjO
— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) May 21, 2023
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle and launching it up the field into the Philadelphia defensive third.
In the 10th minute, Esmir Bajraktarević broke the 0-0 deadlock.
Esmir Bajraktarevic and @NERevolution2 strike first off the set piece! pic.twitter.com/WpbadSEobG
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 21, 2023
Following a foul by #40 Hugo Le Guennec. Esmir Bajraktarević stepped up and took the freekick. It deflected off of the wall and into the bottom corner past goalkeeper #13 Holden Trent.
In the 16th minute, Philadelphia leveled the match.
17' – Philadelphia goal.#NERevsII 1 | PHI 1
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 21, 2023
Following an outside the foot through ball, the ball found #25 Chris Donovan who took 2 touches before slotting it past Jacob Jackson.
6 minutes later, Philadelphia took the lead.
23' – Philadelphia goal.
PHI 2 | #NERevsII 1
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 21, 2023
Following yet another through ball, #25 Chris Donovan got the ball in behind, but this time played a low driven cross to find #56 Christopher Olney at the back post to score for the 2-1 lead.
In the 40th minute, Philadelphia Union midfielder #38 Maike Villero was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul.
In the 43rd minute, Philadelphia Union midfielder #39 Francis Westfield was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul.
The match entered halftime with Philadelphia Union up 2-1 over the Revolution II.
HALFTIME:
PHI 2 | #NERevsII 1
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 21, 2023
Revolution head coach Clint Peay made one change entering the second half by substituting Joshua Bolma for Malcolm Fry.
The second half began with the Philadelphia Union starting from the midfield kickoff and launching the ball into the Revolution defensive third.
5 minutes into the second half, Philadelphia added to their lead once again.
51' – Philadelphia goal.
PHI 3 | #NERevsII 1
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 21, 2023
Following a ball from the right flank by #14 Jeremy Rafanello. He found #25 Chris Donovan for the one touch shot past Jacob Jackson for his 3rd goal contribution of the match.
In the 58th minute, Esmir took a quick kick looking to play quickly out of the defensive third. He found Marcos Dias who then played a through ball for Jordan Adebayo-Smith whose close-range effort was double saved by Union II goalkeeper #13 Holden Trent.
8 minutes later, Damian Rivera found Jordan Adebayo-Smith at the back post to get a goal back for the Revolution II, but unfortunately, he was called offsides on the play.
A minute later, Revolution head coach Clint Peay made his second change by substituting Peyton Miller for Colby Quinones.
In the 74th minute, the Revolution pulled one back.
That run ?
Esmir Bajraktarevic slots it home for the brace and pulls one back for @NERevolution2. pic.twitter.com/tEelT4DQBK
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 21, 2023
Following a single man run from midfield, Esmir Bajraktarević went the distance and his shot from outside the box snuck past goalkeeper #13 Holden Trent to make the score line 3-2.
In the 80th minute, Revolution head coach Clint Peay made his third change by substituting Weverton for Jordan Adebayo-Smith.
In the 86th minute, Philadelphia Union midfielder #38 Maike Villero was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul. This is his second yellow card of the match, meaning he has been given a red card, and the Philadelphia Union II would finish the match with 10-men.
4 minutes later, the Revolution leveled the match.
THIS MATCH! ?
Esmir Bajraktarevic completes the comeback with the first hat trick in team history! ? @NERevolution2 pic.twitter.com/IyyFPRk8da
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 21, 2023
Following a pass into the box by Damian Rivera, Marcos Dias turned two defenders before his right-footed shot went directly into the top right corner past #13 Holden Trent to level the scoreline.
In the 91st minute, Esmir Bajraktarević called game.
THIS MATCH! ?
Esmir Bajraktarevic completes the comeback with the first hat trick in team history! ? @NERevolution2 pic.twitter.com/IyyFPRk8da
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 21, 2023
Following a pass from Damian Rivera, Esmir slotted a one timed shot past goalkeeper #13 Holden Trent for the 4-3 comeback goal.
In the 90th +4th minute, Revolution head coach Clint Peay made his fourth and final change by substituting Marcos Dias for Ben Awashie.
After the goal and the 5 added minutes, the Revolution II held on for the 4-3 victory.
Another comeback complete ? pic.twitter.com/SLnVdEHLG0
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) May 21, 2023
The New England Revolution II head to back to Foxborough, MA to face Columbus Crew II in an MLS NEXT Pro match on Thursday May 25th. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
New England Revolution
