FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (1-1-4, 4 pts.) were defeated 5-2 in a Concacaf Champions Cup contest by Club América (2-2-3, 8 pts.) in a match on Tuesday.
The match kicked off at 10:30 p.m. ET at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico to a crowd of 11,000.
The XI for @TheChampions night. #ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/bz67EwFMop
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 10, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Earl Edwards Jr. starting in net with a backline of (left back) Ryan Spaulding, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Andrew Farrell, along with (right back) Nick Lima. The midfield spots were manned by Noel Buck (left defensive midfield) and Mark-Anthony Kaye (right defensive midfield), with Tommy McNamara appearing ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Emmanuel Boateng (left wing), Esmir Bajraktarević (right wing), and Bobby Wood as the lone striker.
THE XI. #ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/0s8rj8L1fF
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 10, 2024
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Tommy McNamara played the ball backwards to Mark-Anthony Kaye, who then elected to launch the ball up to Esmir Bajraktarević up the right flank. The ball would go out for a goal kick.
From the start, it was going to be a long day for New England.
Within the first 10 minutes of the match, Club América had 4 shots with all of them being saved by Earl Edwards Jr.
From the 10th minute to the 20th minute, New England failed to keep possession outside of their own defensive zone.
Entering the 21st minute, Club América received a 1-0 advantage.
¡Gol de Las Águilas! Diego Valdés abre el marcador del partido ⚽ pic.twitter.com/2diQYeK08b
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) April 10, 2024
Following a chipped cross into the box by #33 Julián Quiñones, the ball was lofted over an out-of-position Earl Edwards Jr. and managed to be trapped down by #10 Diego Valdes in the box for the easy finish. VAR was called to intervene after there were deliberations that the ball was handled in the box prior to the finish. After 4 minutes of looking at the VAR monitor, the center official over-ruled his VAR and deemed the goal to stand.
The announcers along with Revolution head coach Caleb Porter were beyond themselves on the call.
Entering the 33rd minute, Club América added to their lead.
¡Julián Quiñones anota el segundo para @ClubAmerica en el Azteca! ? pic.twitter.com/10KSApetHI
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) April 10, 2024
A back post-delivery found #10 Diego Valdes for the easy header to center the ball into the center of the box to find a completely unmarked #33 Julián Quiñones Infront of goal for the easy finish for the 2-0 advantage.
Club América would continue to have more chances throughout the match by primarily targeting Nick Lima and the right-flank.
Just before the halftime whistle, Club América added to their lead.
¡GOOOL DE LA BOMBA! ??
¡GOOOOOOL DE HENRY MARTÍN! #AméricaVsRevs pic.twitter.com/8oms5sxwJG— Club América (@ClubAmerica) April 10, 2024
Following a cross from defender #5 Kevin Alvarez, he finds defender #2 Luis Fuentes who then slices the ball to #21 Henry Martin, who headed it goalwards. The ball was deflected by Earl Edwards Jr. and into his own net.
After the 45+4 minutes, the match entered halftime with Club América ahead 3-0.
Club América managed to outshoot the Revolution 11-1 and out possessed them 70%-30%.
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 10, 2024
Prior to the start of the second half, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made two changes to his squad by replacing defenders Dave Romney and Nick Lima with Henry Kessler and DeJuan Jones.
Club America head coach André Jardine made two changes of his own by replacing forward #21 Henry Martín and midfielder #20 Richard Sánchez with forward #21 Brian Rodríguez and midfielder #16 Santiago Naveda.
The second half began with Club América starting from the center circle. They elected to begin the second half by building out of the back.
In the 49th minute, Revolution defender Henry Kessler was issued a yellow card.
New England’s first chance of the match came in the 54th minute when Emmanuel Boateng’s delivery into the box just missed Bobby Wood.
Entering the 57th minute, Club América added to their lead.
Alejandro Zendejas incrementa la ventaja para América ⚽ pic.twitter.com/lENhm5gE8B
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) April 10, 2024
Following a cross across the six-yard-box, the ball for #17 Alejandro Zendejas for the easy finish for the 4-0 advantage.
In the 63rd minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his third change of the match by replacing Noel Buck with Tomás Chancalay.
Entering the 64th minute, New England got a goal back.
GIACOMO IN THE 65’! pic.twitter.com/htY8KlSBV2
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 10, 2024
Following a corner-kick by Esmir Bajraktarević, the ball was headed by Giacomo Vrioni, which went into the top-left and into the net for the goal.
Club América head coach André Jardine made final three changes of the match by replacing midfielder #17 Alejandro Zendejas, #30 Julián Quiñones, and #10 Diego Contreras for #26 Salvador Reyes, #39 Dagoberto Acosta, and #24 Javairô Dilrosun.
In the 72nd minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his fourth change of the match by replacing Emmanuel Boateng with Carles Gil.
Entering the 73rd minute, VAR intervened and issued a penalty kick for Club América after a handball by Mark-Anthony Kaye.
¡GOOOL DE BRIAN RODRÍGUEZ! ⚡️
¡GOOOL DEL RAYO DEL AMÉRICA! ?#AméricaVsRevs pic.twitter.com/dLdVjOAM0S— Club América (@ClubAmerica) April 10, 2024
The ensuing penalty kick was taken by #7 Brian Rodriguez buried by for the 5-1 lead.
New England’s next best chance came in the 83rd minute when Carles Gil’s free kick effort just missed the frame.
Just 2 minutes later, Club América thought they had added to their lead once more.
Following a through ball, #7 Brian Rodriguez took the ball and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner past Earl Edwards Jr. for the goal. After review, the goal was taken back for offsides.
In the 88th minute, Revolution defender Ryan Spaulding was issued a yellow card for fouling #7 Brian Rodriguez.
Entering the 89th minute, Revolution midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was issued a yellow card.
In the 91st minute, the Revolution got a goal back.
90+’ – SECOND GOAL FOR GIACOMO
Watch LIVE on @FOXSports (FS2) and @TUDNUSA #CAvNE 5-2 | #ConcaChampions
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 10, 2024
After a cross by Esmir Bajraktarevic, the ball found Giacomo Vrioni for the wide-open finish, making the scoreline 5-2.
After the 90+3 minutes, Club América won for the commanding 5-2 victory.
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 10, 2024
In regard to Concacaf Champions Cup play, the New England Revolution have been eliminated by Club América on aggregate by a score of 9-2.
Club América has moved on to the semi-finals where they will face Liga MX side C.F. Pachuca.
For MLS play, the New England Revolution (1-1-4, 4 pts.) head out to the Bronx, New York where they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side New York City FC (1-2-4, 5 pts.) on Saturday, April 13th. The match kicks off in Yankee Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
