FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (11-7-4, 40 pts.) were victorious in a 2-1 match versus Atlanta United (9-8-6, 35 pts.) on Wednesday night.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to a crowd of 17,615.
Here we go against the ?️#NEvATL | #MLSSeasonPass
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 12, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 4-4-2 formation with Đorđe Petrović starting in net with a backline of (left back) Ryan Spaulding, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Andrew Farrell, along with (right back) Brandon Bye. The midfield consisted of Carles Gil (left midfield), Ian Harkes (central left midfield), Matt Polster (central right midfield) and Justin Rennicks (right midfield). The forward roles were manned by Gustavo Bou (Left) and Giacomo Vrioni (Right).
Midfielder Noel Buck remained out of the lineup due to a lingering leg injury.
Defender DeJuan Jones remained out of the lineup as he is currently with the United States Men’s National Team, competing in the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Foxboro, Massachusetts: New England Revolution midfielder Ian Harkes (14) controls the ball in a MLS game between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC at Gillette Stadium on July 12, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
Midfielder Ian Harkes is officially making his first career start in a Revolution uniform.
Foxboro, Massachusetts: The New England Revolution starting 11 in an MLS game between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC at Gillette Stadium on July 12, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
The match began with New England starting from the midfield kickoff. Forward Giacomo Vrioni played the ball backward to center back Dave Romney, who then launched the ball into right side the Atlanta United defensive third.
In just the third minute, the Revolution took the early lead.
Technique was on point ? @MattPolster pic.twitter.com/9Etx3iNNrb
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 12, 2023
While working the ball on the right flank, midfielder Carles Gil found Brandon Bye in an advanced position, one-on-one with the Atlanta United outside back. His right footed service was met by the head of Atlanta United midfielder #11 Brooks Lennon. The ball then exited the box and found midfielder Matt Polster, who unleashed a right footed rocket of a shot that went directly into the bottom left corner of the goal past Atlanta goalkeeper #1 Brad Guzan.
Foxboro, Massachusetts: New England Revolution midfielder Matt Polster (8) celebrates an opening goal in a MLS game between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC at Gillette Stadium on July 12, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
Just five minutes later, the Revolution doubled their lead.
namaste ?pic.twitter.com/gAF6MCKkh8
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 13, 2023
Following an interception by center back Andrew Farrell, he played it forward to midfielder Carles Gil, who with fancy footwork, megged Atlanta United midfielder #5 Santiago Sosa and then dribbled up the field. His through ball found Giacomo Vrioni, who then rounded Atlanta goalkeeper #1 Brad Guzan for the comfortable finish for the 2-0 lead.
Foxboro, Massachusetts: New England Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni (9) maneuvers around Atlanta United FC goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) for the goal in a MLS game between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC at Gillette Stadium on July 12, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
Atlanta’s first chance of the match came in the 22nd minute when #28 Tyler Wolff’s right footed shot was met by a point-blank save by Đorđe Petrović.
3 minutes later, Atlanta continued to attack the Revolution goal when #23 Thiago Almada’s right-footed service into the area was met by the head of #11 Brooks Lennon. His right-footed volley was saved by Đorđe Petrović.
The Revolution almost added to their lead in the 44th minute when Giacomo Vrioni’s right-footed shot was saved by #1 Brad Guzan.
After the 45 minutes, New England entered halftime leading by a scoreline of 2-0.
Good guys off to a good start ?#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/qiMjSYcVj6
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 13, 2023
The second half kicked off with Atlanta starting from the center circle. #19 Miguel Berry played the ball back to #20 Matheus Rossetto, who then began to move the ball across the Atlanta United midfielders.
Atlanta’s first chance of the match came in the 47th minute when #23 Thiago Almada’s shot was met by a diving stop by Đorđe Petrović.
Entering the 66th minute, Head Coach Bruce Arena made his first and second change of the match by substituting midfielders Justin Rennicks and Ian Harkes and replacing them with midfielders Jack Panayotou and Emmanuel Boateng.
Entering the 69th minute, Revolution midfielder Matt Polster was issued a yellow card for a harsh tackle on Atlanta United midfielder #23 Thiago Almada.
Foxboro, Massachusetts: New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic (99) calls out directions in a MLS game between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC at Gillette Stadium on July 12, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
Atlanta continued their 2nd half by pouring shots onto Đorđe Petrović with #23 Thiago Almada letting another shot ring out for a save by Đorđe Petrović. Just moments later, Petrović made yet another point blank save after a header by #22 Juan Jose Sanchez Purata.
In the 80th minute, Atlanta United forward #21 Edwin Mosquera was issued a yellow card for a harsh tackle on defender #34 Ryan Spaulding.
Entering the 82nd minute, Revolution midfielder Jack Panayotou was issued a yellow card for a harsh tackle on Atlanta United midfielder #23 Thiago Almada.
In the 88th minute, Head Coach Bruce Arena made his third change of the match by substituting forward Giacomo Vrioni and replacing him with forward Bobby Wood.
In the 88th minute, Head Coach Bruce Arena made his fourth and final change of the match by substituting forward Gustavo Bou and replacing him with defender Omar Gonzalez.
As the match entered the 90+2 minute, Atlanta United pulled one back.
Great control, brilliant strike from @CholMachop ? pic.twitter.com/c6Ok2v9dau
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) July 13, 2023
Midfielder #18 Derrick Etienne Jr.’s service into the area was met by center back Andrew Farrell. His trap was poor and led to an interception by #30 Machop Chol for the goal.
Just 30 seconds after the Atlanta United goal, the 90+3 minutes were up, and the match ended with New England holding on for the 2-1 victory.
? MATCHDAY 25 FINAL SCORE THREAD ?
Fast start from Carles Gil, Matt Polster and Giacomo Vrioni lead the #NERevs past Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/IgOMvqwTYw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 13, 2023
In regard to historic marks, midfielder Carles Gil became the 3rd player in MLS History to have 4 seasons with at least 10 assists. He joins Nicolás Lodeiro (five) and Luciano Acosta (four) as the only active players to accomplish this feat.
The Revolution also move to 8-0-3 at home. Along with FC Cincinatti, the pair remain as the only teams who have not lost at home in 2023.
The New England Revolution (11-7-4, 40 pts.) remain in Foxborough, Massachusetts to face D.C. United (8-6-9, 30 pts.) in an MLS Match on Saturday, July 15th. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium 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)
New England Revolution
Atlanta United
