FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (0-0-4, 0 pts.) were defeated 4-1 by FC Cincinatti (2-2-0, 8 pts.) in a match on Sunday.
The match kicked off at 2:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA to a crowd of 14,557.
Today’s Starting 1️⃣1️⃣ ☘️ pic.twitter.com/Jkw935Bf0d
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 17, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 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 Mark-Anthony Kaye (left defensive midfield) and Ian Harkes (right defensive midfield), with Carles Gil appeared ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Tomás Chancalay (left wing), Esmir Bajraktarević (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
March 17, 2024; The New England Revolution lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky
Just before the start of the second half, FC Cincinatti head coach Pat Noonan made his first two changes of the match by replacing midfielder #22 Gerardo Valenzuela and midfielder #26 Malik Pinto with forward #23 Luca Orellano and midfielder #10 Lucho Acosta.
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Giacomo Vrioni played the ball backward to Mark-Anthony Kaye, who elected to play the ball to Dave Romney, then DeJuan Jones to build out of the back to start the match.
FC Cincinatti’s first moment of the match came in the 8th minute when a freekick by #22 Gerardo Valenzuela entered the area, The initial ball into the box was won by Dave Romney but was met with a half-volley by #17 Sergio Santos. The ball was met with a diving save by Henrich Ravas.
March 17, 2024; FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano (18). The New England Revolution lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky
New England’s first chance of the match came in the 13th minute when Esmir Bajraktarević’s left-footed shot was met with a diving stop by #18 Roman Celentano.
New England had yet another chance 5 minutes later when Giacomo Vrioni’s quick change was met by a great save by #18 Roman Celentano.
The best chance of the half for New England came in the 32nd minute when a cross by Carles Gil found Tomás Chancalay at the back post. His effort struck the post and was cleared by #14 Kipp Keller.
FC Cincinatti’s last chance of the half came in the 38th minute when #26 Malik Pinto put his effort over the crossbar.
After 45 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 0-0.
Level at the half.#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/lKnYaoMopK
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 17, 2024
Starting the second half, FC Cincinatti head coach Pat Noonan made his first two changes of the match by replacing midfielder #22 Gerardo Valenzuela and #26 Malik Pinto with midfielder #10 Lucho Acosta and forward #23 Luca Orellano
The second half began with FC Cincinatti starting from the center circle. #10 Lucho Acosta played the ball backward as FC Cincinatti looked to build out of the back to start the half.
March 17, 2024; FC Cincinnati midfielder Lucho Acosta (10) passes into the box. The New England Revolution lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky
Just 30 seconds into the second half, FC Cincinatti had thought that they had gotten the lead with a goal from #23 Luca Orellano, however, an extremely late offside flag arose, cancelling out the goal.
In the 48th minute, Revolution midfielder Ian Harkes was issued a yellow card for a foul on midfielder #10 Lucho Acosta.
Entering the 51st minute, FC Cincinatti broke the 0-0 deadlock.
Count it! Yuya's first goal of the season pic.twitter.com/CGruLRAkMI
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) March 17, 2024
Following a corner kick taken by Lucho Acosta, the ball past everyone in the area, including Ravas to find a completely unmarked #7 Yaya Kubo for a header. The ball seemingly was met with a save by Ravas, however, the referees determined that the ball had crossed the line for a goal. This is Kubo’s first goal of the season.
March 17, 2024; Cincinnati celebrates a goal. The New England Revolution lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky
Just two minutes later, FC Cincinatti added to their lead.
Instant Impact by the MVP ? pic.twitter.com/4LeztJr1e1
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) March 17, 2024
Following a foul atop the penalty area, midfielder #10 Lucho Acosta took an ensuing freekick that went underneath the jumping wall of Henry Kessler, Giacomo Vrioni, Dave Romney, and Ian Harkes. This is Acosta’s first goal of the season.
March 17, 2024; FC Cincinnati midfielder Lucho Acosta (10) celebrates a goal. The New England Revolution lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky
Entering the 61st minute, New England pulled one back.
??? pic.twitter.com/gv6esYGKom
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 17, 2024
After a misplaced pass by #17 Sergio Santos, the ball was intercepted by Giacomo Vrioni who took two touches before a left-footed shot that snuck into the bottom left-corner. This is Vrioni’s first goal of the season.
March 17, 2024; New England Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni (9) celebrates a goal to make it 2-1. The New England Revolution lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky
Entering the 66th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his third and fourth change of the match by replacing midfielder Ian Harkes with midfielder Emmanuel Boateng.
FC Cincinatti head coach Pat Noonan also made his third change of the match by replacing forward #7 Sergio Santos with #7 Aaron Boupendza.
In the 69th minute, FC Cincinatti forward #23 Luca Orellano was issued a yellow card for a foul on Nacho Gil.
FC Cincinatti had yet another clear chance in the 70th minute when #9 Aaron Boupendza left-footed effort went just wide of the net.
New England had a chance in the 75th minute when Dave Romney’s header in the 75th minute was met with a diving stop by #18 Roman Celentano.
March 17, 2024; New England Revolution defender Dave Romney (2) heads the ball. The New England Revolution lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky
Just one minute later, New England had yet another chance that just missed by Henry Kessler.
Entering the 76th minute, FC Cincinatti head coach Pat Noonan made his fourth change of the match by replacing defender #14 Kipp Keller with defender #32 Ian Murphy.
New England’s best chance of the second half to level the match came in the 80th minute when Tomas Chancalay attempted to chip #18 Roman Celentano, but the ball struck the crossbar.
They had yet another chance in the 82nd minute when Ian Harkes half-volley was met by a wonderful save by #18 Roman Celentano.
In the 83rd minute, Revolution defender DeJuan Jones was issued a yellow card for a foul on forward #23 Luca Orellano.
March 17, 2024; New England Revolution forward Tomas Chancalay (5) rues a missed opportunity. The New England Revolution lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky
In the 85th minute, FC Cincinatti midfielder #20 Pavel Bucha was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul on Carles Gil.
Entering the 86th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first two changes of the match by replacing midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević and defender Nick Lima with midfielder Nacho Gil and defender Ryan Spaulding.
Moments later, FC Cincinatti head coach Pat Noonan made his fifth and final change of the match by replacing midfielder #11 Corey Baird with midfielder #37 Stiven Jiminez.
March 17, 2024; New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil (10). The New England Revolution lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (c) Burt Granofsky
In the 90+4th minute, Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni was issued a yellow card for impeding the goalkeeper from restarting the play.
In the 90+7th minute, Revolution midfielder Nacho Gil was issued a yellow card for complaint to the center official on a poor-call.
In the 90+8th minute, FC Cincinatti forward #9 Aaron Boupendza was issued a yellow card for time wasting.
After the 90+9 minutes, FC Cincinatti held on for the 2-1 victory.
The Final.#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/UdeCfwpDQJ
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 17, 2024
This marks the second time in history the Revolution have started their MLS season 0-0-4.
For MLS play, the New England Revolution (0-0-4, 0pts.) remain in Foxboro, MA as they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire (1-1-2, 5 pts.) on Saturday, March 23rd. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium at 2:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
For Concacaf Champions Cup play, the New England Revolution (0-0-4, 0pts.) will face Club América in leg 1 of their Concacaf Champions Cup Clash in Foxboro, MA on Tuesday, April 2nd. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium at 9:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)
