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You are at:»»»»Georgios Giakoumakis scores hattrick, New England lose 4-1 in Atlanta
Photo: Jim Stapp

Georgios Giakoumakis scores hattrick, New England lose 4-1 in Atlanta

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By on Atlanta United FC, Latest, Match Recaps, MLS, MLS Eastern Conference, New England Revolution

FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (0-0-3, 0 pts.) were defeated 4-1 by Atlanta United (1-0-1, 3 pts.) in a match on Saturday.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA to a crowd of 70,000.

The team started their lineup in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation with Henrich Ravas starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Henry Kessler, along with (right back) Nick Lima. The midfield spots were manned by Matt Polster (defensive midfield) with Mark-Anthony Kaye (left midfield) and Ian Harkes (right midfield) and Carles Gil (attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Tomás Chancalay (left) and Giacomo Vrioni (right).

The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Forward Giacomo Vrioni elected to play the ball backwards to Ian Harkes, who elected to play the ball forward into the Atlanta United defensive third.

New England’s first moment of the match came in the 4th minute when Giacomo Vrioni’s right footed effort went just wide of the right post.

Just 5 minutes later, New England had yet another chance after Tomás Chancalay’s right-footed shot deflected off of defender #11 Brooks Lennon and out for a corner kick.

Atlanta’s first moment in the match came in the 17th minute when forward #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis’ header was blocked by defender Dave Romney.

Just 2 minutes later, Atlanta had yet another opportunity when midfielder #10 Thiago Almada’s right-footed effort from outside the 18 was saved by Henrich Ravas.

In the 25th minute, Tomás Chancalay had yet another opportunity when his right-footed effort was met with a diving stop by #1 Brad Guzan.

Atlanta had yet another opportunity in the 27th minute when #10 Thiago Almada’s right-footed effort went just wide of the top right corner of the net.

Atlanta’s best chance of the half came in the 37th minute when #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis got in behind but was tackled by a recovering Nick Lima and Henry Kessler.

Forward #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis had yet another opportunity 2 minutes later, though his effort went just over the bar.

Entering the 45th minute, drama ensued when goalkeeper Henrich Ravas tackled #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis in the penalty area. The ball then bounced around the area and was toe-poked by #9 Saba Lobzhanidze which entered then entered the goal. However, referee Rafael Santos blew the whistle prior to the goal entering the net as he was awarding Atlanta a penalty.

In the end, the goal was chalked off, and a penalty was issued to Atlanta United.

Due to complaints on the call, Revolution midfielder Matt Polster was issued a yellow card.

Photo: Jim Stapp

The ensuing penalty kick was taken and buried by #10 Thiago Almada into the bottom left corner past Henrich Ravas, who dove to his right. This is Almada’s first goal of the season.

Moments after the penalty kick, the match entered halftime level with Atlanta ahead 1-0.

The second half began with Atlanta United starting from the center circle. Forward #10 Thiago Almada played the ball backwards to center back #3 Derrick Williams, who launched the ball all the way up the field and out for a New England Revolution goal kick.

Entering the 48th minute, defender DeJuan Jones was ushered to the bench after receiving an in-advertent elbow to the head from Atlanta United forward #9 Saba Lobzhanidze. He did return to the match.

In the 52nd minute, drama ensued once more after a cross by Atlanta United midfielder #16 Xande Silva attempted a cross that appeared to strike the hand of Revolution defender Nick Lima in the right-hand. The referee issued a penalty kick, it was checked by VAR, and confirmed.

Photo: Jim Stapp

The ensuing penalty kick was taken and buried by forward #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis into the center of the goal past Henrich Ravas, who dove to his left. This is Giakoumakis’ first goal of the season.

Following the goal, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye with midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević.

Just 3 minutes later, Atlanta added to their lead.

Following a right-footed delivery into the box by Atlanta United defender #11 Brooks Lennon. His cross found wide-open forward #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis, whose header went into the bottom left-corner of the net.

New England’s best chance of the half came in the 62nd minute when Giacomo Vrioni had a chance that was met with a collision with goalkeeper #1 Brad Guzan. The goalkeeper managed to hold onto the ball, and play resumed with no foul.

Entering the 66th minute, drama ensued once more when a close-range shot by Giacomo Vrioni was blocked by the hand of #5 Stian Gregersen. The ball was cleared, and no call was made. After play was stopped, a VAR check ensued and shockingly NO PENALTY WAS GIVEN.

In the 70th minute, Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Reyes made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder #16 Xande Silva with midfielder #28 Tyler Wolff.

Just 4 minutes later, Atlanta United added to their lead once again.

Following a low-driven cross by forward #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis, the ball was recovered by #9 Saba Lobzhanidze. His cross to midfielder #10 Thiago Almada was met with a right-footed shot that deflected and found #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis. He then elected to take an outside the foot left-footed volley that went directly into the top right corner of the goal. This is #7 Giorgos Giakoumakis’ 3rd goal of the match, and his 3rd MLS goal this season.

In the 75th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second and third change of the match by replacing defender Nick Lima and midfielder Ian Harkes for defender Ryan Spaulding and midfielder Nacho Gil.

Less than 4 minutes later, entering the 79th minute, Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Reyes made his second and third change of the match by replacing forward #9 Saba Lobjanidze and midfielder #8 Tristan Muyumba for midfielder #35 Ajani Fortune and midfielder #20 Edwin Mosquera.

Entering the 83rd minute, New England pulled one back.

Midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević found Nacho Gil, who then found Carles Gil in the box. Carles then unleashed a left-footed curler into the top left of the net past Brad Guzan for his second MLS goal of the season.

Following the goal, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his fourth and fifth change of the match by replacing forward Giacomo Vrioni and midfielder Matt Polster for midfielder Emmanuel Boateng and midfielder Noel Buck.

Also following the goal, Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Reyes made his fourth and fifth change of the match by replacing forward #7 Giorgios Giakoumakis and midfielder #6 Bartosz Slisz for midfielder #13 Dax McCarty and midfielder #29 Jamal Thiare.

New England’s final chance of the match came in the 91st minute when Ryan Spaulding’s right-footed cross couldn’t connect with Esmir Bajraktarević.

After the 90+6 minutes, the match ended with Atlanta winning the match 4-1.

This is the first time since 2001 that the New England Revolution have started the season 0-0-3 in Major League Soccer play.

The New England Revolution (0-0-3, 0pts.) head to Alajuela, Costa Rica to play the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup clash versus L.D. Alajuelense. It will take place on Thursday, March 14th at 8:00 p.m. at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. For Streaming, the match will be available on Fox Sports & Tubi.

(Editor’s Note:  For more of Jim Stapp’s photos from this match, click on the link.)

New England Revolution

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May, 2024

Atlanta United

May, 2024
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21-Year-Old Journalist covering the New England Revolution & MLS NCAA Division III College Soccer Player for Suffolk University

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