FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (0-0-0, 0pts.) were victorious in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Match after defeating Club Atlético Independiente de La Chorrera (2-2-1, 8 pts. in LPF) 1-0 on Wednesday night.
The match kicked off at 8:00 p.m. ET at Estadio Universitario F.C. Stadium in Llano Marín, Panama to a crowd of 1,000.
Our @TheChampions campaign gets underway shortly. Here’s the XI for tonight’s match in ?? #concachampions pic.twitter.com/MgaMKBUDDf
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 22, 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 Andrew Farrell, along with (right back) Nick Lima. The midfield spots were manned by Matt Polster (left defensive midfield) and Mark-Anthony Kaye (right defensive midfield), with Carles Gil appeared ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Tomás Chancalay (left wing), Nacho Gil (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
Goalkeeper Henrich Ravas and defender Nick Lima are making their club debuts.
Head Coach Caleb Porter is making his New England Revolution coaching debut.
The XI ??#NERevs | @TheChampions pic.twitter.com/QmnOHxlC5q
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 22, 2024
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Forward Giacomo Vrioni elected to play the ball backwards to Dave Romney, who elected to launch the ball into the final third.
Vrioni’s header hits the crossbar.
Keep an eye on set pieces in 2024. I noticed that the 2022 Crew had some unique routines. #NERevs pic.twitter.com/DDVYoAPZvK
— Seth (@SethMan31) February 22, 2024
New England’s best chance of the half came in the 9th minute when following a short corner, forward Giacomo Vrioni had a header from 8-yard out that struck the crossbar. The ball was then cleared past everyone.
Entering the 11th minute, CAI midfielder #6 Luis Fields is issued a yellow card after a high-elbow on Revolution midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye.
CAI’s first moment of the match came in the 26th minute when forward #9 Ronaldo Dionlis elected for a bicycle kick. However, his effort was blocked and cleared.
New England’s next best chance of the half came in the 20th minute when midfielder Carles Gil connected with his brother, Nacho Gil. He took a heavy first touch and his right-footed effort went just wide of the net.
Carles finds Nacho for a good opportunity.
Another thing to keep an eye on: The #NERevs starting possessions on one side then switching to the other. pic.twitter.com/0Hx7QtfFLL
— Seth (@SethMan31) February 22, 2024
Entering the 27th minute, Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni was issued a yellow card after incidentally elbowing #22 Sergio Ramirez while contesting for a 50/50 ball.
In the 36th minute, Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni had yet another chance in the CAI area, but he was dispossessed, and the ball went out for a goal kick.
Just one minute later, forward Tomas Chancalay had a long-distant effort which went wide right of the net.
In the 40th minute, CAI midfielder #6 Luis Fields took down Nacho Gil with a slide tackle outside of the box and was shockingly not issued a second yellow card. He received a verbal warning from the center official.
New England had yet another close chance in the 43rd minute when Mark-Anthony Kaye’s header goes just wide of the right post.
Mark-Anthony Kaye almost scores on a corner kick #NERevs pic.twitter.com/IlXn25oqH3
— Seth (@SethMan31) February 22, 2024
After 45 +1 minutes, the match entered halftime with the scoreline level at 0-0.
All to play for in the second half.#CAIvNE 0-0 | #ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/wHvar5Tt4O
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 22, 2024
Entering the second half, CAI head coach Franklin Narvaez made his first substitution of the match by replacing midfielder #6 Luis Fields with midfielder #8 Javier de la Espada.
The second half began with CAI starting from the center circle. Forward #9 Ronaldo Dinolis playing the ball backward to his center backs, who elected to launch the ball into the offensive final third.
In the 48th minute, CAI midfielder #8 Javier de la Espada was issued a yellow card for a harsh challenge on defender Nick Lima.
In the 5oth minute, CAI defender #15 Jefferson Murillo was issued a yellow card for back-to-back fouls on midfielder Nacho Gil.
In the 51st minute, the New England Revolution gained the lead.
That finish though from @NERevolution's Chancalay ? pic.twitter.com/DFVCvWnEJl
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 22, 2024
Following a long through ball by Nacho Gil, the aerial ball was flicked down by Giacomo Vrioni into the path of Tomás Chancalay. He then took one touch before a right-footed shot, which was deflected and bounced into the net past goalkeeper #12 Eddie Roberts for the 1-0 advantage.
In the 62nd minute, CAI head coach Franklin Narvaez made his second third, and fourth substitutions of the match by replacing #16 Jefferson Murillo, #55 Aimar Taimir Modelo Johnson & #77 Victor Reyes with #17 Jamel Gonzalez, #4 Carlos Aguirre, and #7 Justin Samaniego.
In the 63rd minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first two changes of the match by replacing Mark-Anthony Kaye and Nacho Gil with Noel Buck and Esmir Bajraktarevic.
New England had yet another chance to add to their lead in the 65th minute when Tomas Chancalay’s effort went just wide of the left post.
El primer gol de @TheChampions para nosotros! ?#NERevs | #ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/c2VE2Mqnhz
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 22, 2024
CAI had a close chance in the 68th minute when a right-footed effort by #7 Justin Samaniego went through the legs of Dave Romney and out for a goal kick.
In the 70th minute, CAI head coach Franklin Narvaez made his fifth substitutions of the match by replacing #9 Ronaldo Donalis and replaced him forward #30 Daniel Moran.
In the 76th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first third and fourth changes of the match by replacing Giacomo Vrioni and Tomás Chancalay with Bobby Wood and Emmanuel Boateng.
New England had a good chance in the 79th minute when midfielder Carles Gil’s left-footed shot was saved down the center of the goal.
In the 85th minute, the Tubi Livestream crashed. It returned one minute later.
Entering the 90th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his fifth substitution of the match by replacing Carles Gil with Ian Harkes.
After the 90+3 minutes, New England held on for the 1-0 victory.
Taking home the W. Second leg awaits next Thursday @GilletteStadium! pic.twitter.com/8BIk7s3A5I
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 22, 2024
One key discussion topic of discussion was the commentary done by George Metellus. During his commentary of the match, he noted his fandom of the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, rapped Still Tippin by Mike Jones, discussed the familial trees of Carles & Nacho Gil, John and Ian Harkes and notably Dave & Mitt Romney, quoted his interest in the film “The Departed, noted Farrell & Pharrell were two different people who were not related, and finally made a tune for Bobby Wood. Very interesting commentary. Give him a follow here!
With the result, the New England Revolution hold the 1-0 advantage over Club Atlético Independiente de La Chorrera and will head to Foxboro to play the second leg. It will take place on Thursday, February 29th at 8:00 p.m.
The New England Revolution (0-0-0, 0pts.) will now return to the United States to begin their MLS season. They begin the season on the road in Washington, DC as they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side D.C. United (0-0-0, 0 pts.) on Saturday, February 25th. The match kicks off in Audi Field at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)
