FOXBOROUGH, MA–The New England Revolution II (8-4-3, 28 pts.) were defeated 2-1 versus FC Cincinnati II (4-6-3, 16 pts) in an MLS NEXT Pro Match on Sunday, June 18th.
The match kicked off at 5:00 p.m. ET at NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, Kentucky.
Sunday night soccer ? pic.twitter.com/IYdVk4s1Gi
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) June 18, 2023
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Nico Campuzano starting in net with a backline of Colby Quinones (left back), Pierre Cayet and Victor Souza as the center backs and Santiago Suarez at (right back). The defensive midfield roles were manned by Jake Rozhansky (left) and Ítalo (right). The center attacking midfield roles were manned by Esmir Bajraktarevic (central), with Marcos Dias (left) and Joshua Bolma (right). Weverton started the match as the lone striker.
Today’s match featured first team players Joshua Bolma and Esmir Bajraktarevic, who both started the match.
Due to the Revolution’s academy team’s participating in MLS NEXT Playoffs in Texas, the Revolution II have rostered goalkeeper coach Yuta Nomura as their backup.
The first half of the match began with FC Cincinnati starting from the center circle. The ball was launched up the field and quickly intercepted by the Revolution defense. It quickly led to a counterattack that was met with an early chance by Weverton, which was blocked.
The first moment for the Revolution came in the 15th minute when forward Weverton’s attempt at a side-volley struck the right post.
Entering the 38th minute, New England had yet another fantastic chance when Esmir Bajraktarevic centered the ball to Marcos Dias. His effort from the 6-yard-box was spectacularly cleared off the line by # Walters.
In the 46th minute, FC Cincinnati took the lead.
I'll take that ?@FCCincinnati2 goes ahead before halftime thanks to an own goal! pic.twitter.com/CJAVwrYs5L
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) June 18, 2023
Following a cross attempt by Morgan Marshall, the ball was headed directly by defender Victor Souza. His header snuck past goalkeeper Nico Campuzano for the own goal to give FC Cincinnati the lead.
After Souza’s own goal, the match entered halftime with FC Cincinnati ahead 1-0.
Halftime. pic.twitter.com/rKOqFS2uiF
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) June 18, 2023
The second half of the match began with New England starting from the center circle. The ball was launched up the field and eventually, New England won a freekick in the attacking half after midfielder Jake Rozhansky was fouled by FC Cincinnati’s #55 Darrell Turcios. He was shown a yellow card for the foul.
Entering the 50th minute, FC Cincinatti added to their advantage.
Put on your dancing shoes?
Valenzuela doubles @FCCincinnati2 lead! pic.twitter.com/TXNu2sQw9R
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) June 18, 2023
Midfielder #58 Gerardo Valenzeula received the ball atop the Revolution penalty area. He took 2 shot attempts that were both blocked by Victor Souza, but the ball went directly back to Valenzeula, who then slotted it past Nico Campuzano.
New England thought they had their first in the 53rd minute, when the in-swinging corner by Jake Rozhansky found Cayet unmarked at the far post, however his shot was sent away for a throw in.
In the 58th minute, New England Revolution II midfielder Ítalo was shown a yellow card for a foul on FC Cincinatti 2 midfielder Darrell Turcios.
In the 60th minute, FC Cincinnati’s #90 Grayson Dupont was shown a yellow card for a deliberate handball.
Entering the 63rd minute, Revolution II head coach Clint Peay made his first two changes of the match by replacing Weverton and Ítalo with Nakye Greenidge-Duncan and Jordan Adebayo-Smith.
In the 70th minute, New England Revolution II midfielder Jake Rozhansky was shown a yellow card for a foul on FC Cincinatti 2 midfielder #58 Gerardo Valenzeula. Just seconds after the foul, Revolution II head coach Clint Peay made his third change of the match by replacing Joshua Bolma with Ben Awashie.
In the 78th minute, FC Cincinnati’s #57 Morgan Marshall was shown a yellow card for a foul on Ben Awashie.
Entering the 80th minute, Revolution II head coach Clint Peay made his fourth change of the match by replacing Marcos Dias with Malcolm Fry.
In the 87th minute, Revolution II defender Santiago Suarez was shown a yellow card for a foul on # Phillip Horton.
In the 90th minute, FC Cincinnati’s #40 Kai Thomas was shown a yellow card for time wasting.
In the 92nd minute, FC Cincinnati’s #75 Ryder Mills was shown a yellow card for a foul on Ben Awashie.
In the 93rd minute, New England got one back.
93' – Jordan Adebayo-Smith gives us one!
CIN 2 | #NERevsII 1 pic.twitter.com/UvoO48Z9zj
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) June 18, 2023
In the 94th minute, FC Cincinnati’s #42 Bret Halsey and New England’s Jordan Adebayo-Smith were both issued yellow cards for shoving each other following a foul by Halsey on Adebayo-Smith.
After the 90 + 5 added minutes, the match ended with FC Cincinnati hanging on to the 2-1 victory.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Despite a late scare, @FCCincinnati2 holds on for 3️⃣ points at home! pic.twitter.com/c4p5Xd0zao
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) June 19, 2023
The New England Revolution II (8-4-3, 28 pts.) remain in Foxborough, MA to face Toronto FC II (3-8-3, 14 pts) on Friday, June 23rd at Gillette Stadium. The match is set to kickoff at 8:00 p.m. All MLS, MLS NEXT Pro matches will be available through the new MLS Streaming Service on the Apple TV app.
(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)
