FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (7-5-3, 25 pts.) salvaged a 3-3 draw in a match versus the Atlanta United (6-6-4, 24 pts.) in an MLS Match on Wednesday, May 31st.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA to a crowd of roughly 30,000.
We Dem Boyz ?? pic.twitter.com/A6Yohc6cwj
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 31, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Đorđe Petrović starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Omar Gonzalez, along with (right back) Andrew Farrell. The defensive midfield consisted of Noel Buck (left midfield), Matt Polster (right midfield). Captain Carles Gil played ahead of them in the central role. (center attacking midfield) The attacking roles were manned by Emmanuel Boateng (left attacking wing), Latif Blessing (right winger), and Bobby Wood as the lone striker.
Designated Players Gustavo Bou and Giacomo Vrioni start on the bench.
▪️ Gil returns to XI after sub appearance on Saturday
▪️ Gonzalez makes 1st league start since last August
▪️ Farrell starts at RB for 1st time in almost four years (June 2019)
▪️ Bou available on bench (21 mins played since April 8)#NERevs https://t.co/pCY11TNTrc— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) May 31, 2023
The match kicked off with Atlanta United starting from the center circle with #7 Giorgois Giakoumakis playing the ball directly back to Thiago Almada.
Within 20 seconds, New England jumped on the board.
GOOD EVENING FROM ATLANTA! CARLES GIL SAYS HELLO! ?⏰ pic.twitter.com/POQlu7OU75
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 31, 2023
Following a shaky back pass by center back #12 Miles Robinson, goalkeeper #1 Brad Guzan took a shaky first touch following pressure by striker Bobby Wood. He then played a square pass directly to New England Revolution captain Carles Gil, who took 2 touches before slotting a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner.
Per OptaJack, this is the fastest goal in New England Revolution history.
10 minutes later, Atlanta United had their first chance of the match when midfielder #23 Thiago Almada’s long range freekick effort struck the crossbar. Goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović did not even bother to move to attempt to block the strike, and thankfully the Revolution took a breath from that effort.
In the 22nd minute, Revolution center back Omar Gonzalez was issued a yellow card for an off-ball foul on #7 Giorgios Giakoumakis.
9 minutes later, in the 31st minute, #14 Franco barra intercepted Carles Gil and laid it off to #23 Thiago Almada, whose right-footed effort went wide of the right post.
In the 35th minute, the Revolution doubled their lead.
"OH MY LORD, BOBBY WOOD!" pic.twitter.com/BQhRw1dqz3
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 1, 2023
Midfielder Carles Gil played a switching on ground pass that found defender DeJuan Jones atop the Atlanta United penalty area. He then played a ball down the left flank to find Emmanuel Boateng, who then played an out swinging left-footed one time cross to find striker Bobby Wood, who laid his entire body on the line to score his 5th goal of the season, matching his goal tally from last season.
With little-to-no action remaining in the half, the Revolution entered halftime leading Atlanta United 2-0.
What a start! ???@SantanderBankUS | #NERevs pic.twitter.com/td20Pb8nQv
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 1, 2023
Entering the second half, Bruce Arena made one change by substituting Latif Blessing for Justin Rennicks. Latif had picked up an injury during the match, and more details will be released at a later date, per Bruce Arena.
The second half kicked off with New England starting from the midfield kickoff. Midfielder Matt Polster played the ball backwards toward defender Dave Romney, who sent the ball directly into the defensive right side of the Atlanta 3rd of the field.
In the 52nd minute, Revolution midfielder Noel buck was issued a yellow card for a foul on #10 Luiz Araujo.
In the 54th minute, Atlanta United midfielder #14 Franco Ibarra was issued a yellow card for a foul on Justin Rennicks.
In the 55th minute, Atlanta pulled one back.
IN GG WE TRUST ? pic.twitter.com/jKrRYPFBuc
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) June 1, 2023
Following a one-time effort by #23 Thiago Almada that was blocked, the ball found #15 Andrew Gutman who then took yet another shot which was blocked and deflected to find #7 Giorgois Giakoumakis, whose close shot went past a sliding Đorđe Petrović.
Photo: Jim Stapp
After the goal, Atlanta went full steam ahead with their attack. In the 63rd minute, they had yet another chance as #10 Luiz Aruajo played a ball back post that found the head of #28 Tyler Wolff. His header back into the area found #23 Thiago Almada which was spectacularly saved by Đorđe Petrović.
In the 72nd minute, Revolution head coach Bruce Arena made his second and third change of the match by substituting Bobby Wood and Emmanuel Boateng for Jozy Altidore and Christian Makoun.
One minute later, Atlanta leveled the match.
Take a ???, Thiago ? pic.twitter.com/f94gO50wd2
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) June 1, 2023
After turning Matt Polster following a pass from the right flank, #23 Thiago Almada took a long-distance effort which deflected off the boot of Omar Gonzalez and past goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović.
In the 81st minute, Atlanta United forward #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis was issued a yellow card for persistent infringement on Carles Gil
In the 83rd minute, Atlanta United goalkeeper #1 Brad Guzan was issued a yellow card for yelling at the center official.
3 minutes later, in the 86th minute, Atlanta United took the lead with questionably the goal of the season.
What a goal ?? pic.twitter.com/uS0eWYtqS6
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) June 1, 2023
#19 Miguel Berry just moments after coming onto the field took down a header by Dave Romney by chest trapping the ball and then volleying an effort into the upper 90 past Đorđe Petrović.
In the 90th minute, Revolution head coach Bruce Arena made his fourth and final substitution by replacing Matt Polster with Giacomo Vrioni.
In the 92nd minute, Atlanta United defender #15 Andrew Gutman was issued a yellow card for a foul on Justin Rennicks.
With Atlanta thinking they had the winning moment, a minute later their hearts were broken by the former MLS MVP in the 93rd minute.
Carles Gil just did that! ?
The former MVP cuts the defender and buries it for his second goal to tie the score in the 93rd minute. pic.twitter.com/b8u2MdQRmS
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2023
Defender Andrew Farrell played a right footed service into the area that was diving head cleared by Atlanta United defender #22 Juan Jose Purata. The ball, not cleared far enough, found the feet of Carles Gil, who took 2 touches, cut inside and shot a weak-footed shot past #1 Brad Guzan.
After Carles Gil’s 92nd minute equalizer, there was little-to-no action and the match ended with the scoreline of Atlanta United 3 – 3 New England Revolution.
⚽️ MATCHDAY 16 FINAL SCORES ⚽️
What. A. Game! ? pic.twitter.com/kBnplkU7j3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2023
Carles Gil’s 2 goal performance puts him up for Player of the Matchday Voting. You can vote for Carles below:
Midweek performances that stole the show on Matchday 16. ✨
Who’s your smart choice for Player of the Matchday?
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2023
With the result, the Revolution hold on to the 4th position in the Eastern Conference. This result also slots them 5th place across Major League Soccer in the Supporter’s Shield race.
#AllForCincy setting the standard in the East. ? pic.twitter.com/PRaVQRk0iA
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2023
The New England Revolution (7-5-3, 25 pts.) head to Bronx, NY to face New York City FC (4-4-7, 15 pts.) in an MLS Match on Saturday, June 3rd. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
For more of Jim Stapp’s photos from the match, please click on the link.
New England Revolution
Atlanta United
