FOXBOROUGH, MA— The New England Revolution II were defeated by the Philadelphia Union II by a score of 2-1 on Sunday.
The match kicked off at 3:00 p.m. ET at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
How we're kicking off the 2024 @MLSNEXTPro season ⬇️
⏰ 3:00 p.m. ET
? https://t.co/Dp3R4tX0Td pic.twitter.com/Rvu0feUdeI— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) March 24, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-3-3 formation with goalkeeper Max Weinstein starting in the net with a backline of (left back) Collin Smith, (center backs) Hesron Barry and Victor Souza, along with (right back) McIntosh. The midfield consisted of Lucas Maciel (left), Marcos Dias (center), and Patrick Leal (right). The forward roles were manned by Cristiano Oliveira (left), Alex Monis (right), and Andrej Bjelajac (central) as the lone striker.
This is New England Revolution II head coach Richie Williams first ever game in-charge of the team. He formerly was an assistant coach (2019-23) and interim head coach (2023) of the New England Revolution first team.
Midfielder Lucas Maciel wore the captain’s armband.
Collin Smith, Hesron Barry, Damario McIntosh, Cristiano Oliveira, Alex Monis and Andrej Bjelajac are making their Revolution II debuts.
The squad today featured 2 first-team rostered players as Joshua Bolma and Malcolm Fry started on the bench.
For the first time in 2024, it's #NERevsII matchday! ?
? Philadelphia Union II
?️ Subaru Park
⏲️ 3:00 p.m. ET
? https://t.co/D65daeyYge
? https://t.co/j1Gcvmuzrj pic.twitter.com/nYzBjit9xr— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) March 24, 2024
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Lucas Maciel took the midfield kickoff and passed it backwards to Victor Souza, who launched the ball into the Philadelphia defensive third.
Philadelphia’s first moment of the match came in the 6th minute when #77 Edward Davis’ effort was met with a save by Max Weinstein.
Entering the 9th minute, New England gained the early lead.
Alex Monis back to his old scoring ways to give @NERevolution2 the early lead!
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— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) March 24, 2024
Midfielder Marcos Dias delivery into the area found Alex Monis, who trapped the ball down and shot a low-driven ball into the bottom left corner for the goal. This is Alex Monis’ first goal for the New England Revolution, and his first goal of the season.
Philadelphia had yet another chance in the 13th minute when the bending cross by #39 Francis Westfield was caught by Max Weinstein.
New England had yet another chance when Collin Smith’s effort was met with an acrobatic stop by goalkeeper #57 Michael Sheridan.
In the 33rd minute, Philadelphia leveled the match.
Following a cross into the box by #88 Kyle Tucker, the ball deflected off of New England Revolution II defender #3 Hesron Barry into his own net.
Philadelphia had yet another chance in the 36th minute when the ball deflected off of #77 Edward Davis and was met with a diving catch by Max Weinstein.
After the 45+4 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 1-1.
Level through the first 45. pic.twitter.com/vHnT6JQkk9
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) March 24, 2024
The second half began with Philadelphia starting from the center circle. They elected to build out of the back to start the second half.
Philadelphia had the first chance in the second half with #77 Edward Davis’ effort was met with a catch save by Max Weinstein.
In the 56th minute, Union II head coach Marlon Le Blanc made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder #43 Alex Perez with midfielder #99 Cavan Sullivan.
Just 1 minute later, Revolution II head coach Richie Williams made his first two changes of the match by replacing forwards Cristiano Rivera and Andrej Bjelajac for forward Malcolm Fry and midfielder Gevork Diarbian.
Just can't stop smiling after a perfect start to our home slate pic.twitter.com/CfTqjMullK
— Philadelphia Union II (@PhilaUnionII) March 24, 2024
Entering the 67th minute, Revolution II head coach Richie Williams made his third and fourth changes of the match by replacing forwards Alex Monis and Marcos Dias with Olger Escobar and Joshua Bolma.
Just 4 minutes, later 71st minute, Union II head coach Marlon Le Blanc made his second and third change of the match by replacing midfielder #38 Giovanny Sequera and forward #77 Edward Davis with midfielder #47 Kellan Le Blanc and forward #66 Diego Rocio.
Just 4 minutes later, in 75th minute, Revolution II head coach Richie Williams made his fifth and final change of the match by replacing Hesron Barry with midfielder Eric Klein.
In the 81st minute, Philadelphia took the lead.
The touch of an assist, the finesse finish ?
Sullivan connects with Olivas to put us ahead 2-1 late!#DOOP | @MLSNEXTPRO pic.twitter.com/1Ya3FUNFqU
— Philadelphia Union II (@PhilaUnionII) March 24, 2024
Following a long ball by #99 Cavan Sullivan, he managed to find #55 Sal Olivas on a fast break. He took two touches before taking a right-footed shot that snuck into the bottom left corner past Max Weinstein. This is Sal Olivas’ first goal of the season.
Entering the 90+1 minute, Revolution defender Victor Souza was issued a yellow card for a deliberate handball.
In the 90+6 minute, Union II head coach Marlon Le Blanc made his fourth and final and third change of the match by replacing forward #55 Sal Olvias with midfielder #62 Jamir Johnson.
After the 90+7 minutes, Philadelphia held on for the 2-1 victory.
Final from Subaru Park. pic.twitter.com/VNbRMxnrBK
— New England Revolution II (@NERevolution2) March 24, 2024
Richie Williams and the New England Revolution II (0-0-1, 0pts.) return to Foxboro, Massachusetts to face Eastern Conference side Carolina Core (0-1-1, 2 points). The match will kick off at Gillette Stadium at 3:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 31st. For more MLS NEXT Pro content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
