FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (14-10-9, 52 pts.) were defeated 1-0 by the Philadelphia Union (14-10-9, 55 pts.) in a match on Wednesday night.
The match kicked off at 7:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to a crowd of 00,000.
How we lineup for Game 2️⃣ against Philly.#MLSCupPlayoffs
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) November 8, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 4-3-3 formation with Earl Edwards Jr. starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Henry Kessler, along with (right back) Andrew Farrell. The midfield spots were manned by Mark-Anthony Kaye (left midfield), Matt Polster (center) and Noel Buck (right midfield). The front three was manned by Tomás Chancalay (left wing), Carles Gil (right wing), and Gustavo Bou as the lone striker.
Midfielder Ian Harkes returns to the match day squad after recovering from a fractured Adam’s Apple.
Defender Ryan Spaulding, forward Justin Rennicks and midfielder Nacho Gil were both not in the match day squad due to “Squad Decisions”.
Foxborough, Massachusetts: Revolution owner Robert Kraft watches warmups. The Philadelphia Union defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 in an Audi MLS playoff game on November 8, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
Revolution owner Robert Kraft was in attendance for tonight’s match. This is one of the first instances of the owner making an appearance on the field this season.
Tonight's XI ? pic.twitter.com/tbXARH5ct0
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) November 9, 2023
Prior to the start of the match, New England Revolution Supporter Group, The Rebellion had created a playoff TIFO depicting Captain Carles Gil, Best Offensive Player Gustavo Bou, and Defensive Player of the Year Dave Romney. The TIFO depicts the trio shooting a cannon dressed as Revolutionary War men with the caption “Viva La Revolution”.
#NERevs playoff tifo pic.twitter.com/qm527BPfAB
— Seth (@SethMan31) November 9, 2023
TIFO design created by The Rebellion.
The match began with Philadelphia starting from the center circle. #9 Jullian Carranza played it backwards to #3 Jack Elliot, who then launched it into the Revolution defensive third.
The Union’s first “moment” of the match came in the 4th minute when midfielder #8 Jose Martinez attempted a half-field shot that was .. routinely saved by Revolution goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr.
New England’s first moment of the match came in the 16th minute when Tomás Chancalay led a 3v2 with Mark-Anthony Kaye and Carles Gil toward Philadelphia’s back line. Chancalay elected for a left-footed pass to Mark-Anthony Kaye, who attempted a left-footed shot which was blocked and then deflected off of him, out, for a goal kick.
Foxborough, Massachusetts: New England Revolution forward Tomas Chancalay (5) looks to get going. The Philadelphia Union defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 in an Audi MLS playoff game on November 8, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
Entering the 19th minute, New England had yet another chance as Gustavo Bou sent a cross into the box which was met with a header by Mark-Anthony Kaye, but his effort went just wide of the left post.
Entering the 26th minute, the Union had a massive chance when #33 Quinn Sullivan took a right-footed shot which was deflected by Henry Kessler and went out for a Union corner kick.
After the ensuing corner kick, Union defender #26 Nathan Harriel took a shot in the box that struck the post and went out for a goal kick.
In the 33rd minute, Philadelphia Union defender #17 Damian Lowe was issued a yellow card for accidentally striking forward Gustavo Bou in the face.
Foxborough, Massachusetts: New England Revolution midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye (28) is livid after receiving a red card in the first half. The Philadelphia Union defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 in an Audi MLS playoff game on November 8, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
Entering the 43rd minute, drama ensued.
In the 45h minute, Revolution midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was issued a yellow card for stomping on Philadelphia Union midfielder #10 Dániel Gazdag. Afterwards, VAR intervened, and Mark-Anthony Kaye was issued a RED card for violent conduct.
After the 45+4 minutes, the match entered halftime with the scoreline 0-0.
Level at the half. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/sM1qPdj9Nx
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) November 9, 2023
The match began with New England starting from the center circle. Gustavo Bou played the ball backwards to Matt Polster, who then played it wide to DeJuan Jones, who decided to build out of the back.
New England had the first chance of the second half when Andrew Farrell found Gustavo Bou in the box for a left-footed one time shot which was saved by #18 Andre Blake.
Entering the 50th minute, Revolution goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. had a stellar free kick save taken by #16 Jack McGlynn. The shot rattled off of the post and was met with the save by Edwards Jr.
The Union had yet another massive chance in the 63rd minute when forward #7 Mikael Uhre’s shot was met with a deflection and out for a corner kick.
Entering the 73rd minute, the Revolution had their best chance of the half when Gustavo Bou found Andrew Farrell with a back heel pass, which led to a right-footed shot by Farrell, which just missed the top right corner.
Just 2 minutes later, Farrell had yet another opportunity, but his right-footed shot missed the top right corner once again.
In the 79th minute, Philadelphia gained the 1-0 advantage.
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT!!!
Chris Donovan gives us the lead after McGlynn sends a beauty in the box ?
Watch with #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/D5wH6SAB5e#DOOP | #NEvPHI 1-0 pic.twitter.com/6IVTvHZj54
— X – Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) November 9, 2023
Following a low-driven free kick taken by Union midfielder #15 Jack McGlynn, Union forward #25 Chris Donovan managed to get a touch onto the ball in the box, and it went directly into the bottom left corner past Earl Edwards Jr for the 1-0 advantage
Foxborough, Massachusetts: Philadelphia players celebrate a goal. The Philadelphia Union defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 in an Audi MLS playoff game on November 8, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
In the 81st minute, Revolution head coach Clint Peay made his first substitution of the match by replacing Gustavo Bou with Tommy McNamara. This is potentially, the last match that Gustavo Bou has played in a Revolution uniform.
Foxborough, Massachusetts: New England Revolution forward Gustavo Bou (7) and the Revolution looked in vain to find openings in the Philadelphia defense. The Philadelphia Union defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 in an Audi MLS playoff game on November 8, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
In the 83rd minute, Revolution head coach Clint Peay made his second substitution of the match by replacing Andrew Farrell with Bobby Wood.
In the 90th minute, Revolution head coach Clint Peay made his third substitution of the match by replacing DeJuan Jones with Emmanuel Boateng.
Foxborough, Massachusetts: Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake (18) holds back Philadelphia Union defender Olivier Mbaizo (15). The Philadelphia Union defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 in an Audi MLS playoff game on November 8, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
In the 90+3rd minute, Revolution midfielder Carles Gil and Union defender #15 Olivier Mbaizo were both issued yellow cards. One for Carles pushing Mbaizo, and one for Mbaizo time wasting/flopping.
After 90+5 minutes, the match concluded with Philadelphia holding on for the 1-0 win.
FINAL#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/ZpRaUnBI61
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) November 9, 2023
With the loss, the Revolution have been eliminated from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The Philadelphia Union have progressed to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and are set to face FC Cincinnati.
Roster decisions for the Revolution are set to be released tomorrow.
The New England Revolution (15-10-9, 55 pts.) have concluded their MLS season after being eliminated in the 2023 AUDI MLS Cup Playoffs. To continue to watch MLS matches this season, you can find all remaining matches 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
Philadelphia Union
