FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution were blown out in a 4-0 defeat versus FC Cincinnati in their fourth preseason friendly match in Clearwater, Florida.
The match kicked off at 12:00 p.m. and featured a rotated Revolution squad that lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation to start. This starting 11 featured goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. and had center-backs Omar Gonzalez(left) and captain Andrew Farrell (right). The outside-back positions were manned by Ryan Spaulding(left) and Joshua Bolma(Right). Midfielders Noel Buck & trialist Noble Okello lined up in the defensive midfield positions. In the attacking midfield, Esmir Bajrakterevic manned the middle with ex-Revolution player Emmanuel Boateng who is currently a trialist, and Damien Rivera. DP Forward Giacomo Vrioni started the match up top as the lone striker.
It was publicly announced that the match would consist of three different halves. The match was split into two 45-minute halves & a 30-minute half in between them totaling 120 minutes.
4-2-3-1 Starting XI
The first 45 minutes went Cincinnati’s way right from the start. 8 minutes into the match, FC Cincinnati struck first with a goal from 15-year-old Stiven Jiminez, who is the youngest soccer athlete to sign a professional contract for FC Cincinnati. The Revs looked to strike back early on with a few attacking opportunities and a free-kick scenario from Noel Buck that went wide for a corner just 10 minutes later. Following the missed opportunity, the Revolution controlled possession until the 37′ minute when FC Cincinnati struck for their second goal of the match by Arquimides Ordonez. Just four minutes later in the 41′ minute, Cincinnati scored a 3rd goal, this time by Dominique Badji. By the end of the first half, the score was 3-0.
Entering the 30-minute half, the Revolution made four substitutions. Un-signed MLS SuperDraft pick Victor Souza, Pierre Cayet, Bobby Wood and Justin Rennicks entered the match by replacing Andrew Farrell, Ryan Spaulding, Esmir Bajrakterevic, and Giacomo Vrioni. These substitutions seemed likely that the formation switched to a 3-5-2.
3-5-2 Starting XI
This switch was better for the Revolution but did not make a difference in their attempt to come back in this match. 10′ minutes into this 30-minute half, Cincinnati scored once again as Arquimides Ordonez secures his brace, making the score 4-0. The half ended up finishing with that scoreline.
4-2-3-1 Starting XI versus Nashville SC
Entering the final half, the Revolution ended up doing a complete line change back to a 4-2-3-1 formation that featured the starting 11 that started versus Nashville SC. Goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović entered the match and had center-back Dave Romney (left) and Henry Kessler (right) taking charge in the middle. The outside-back positions were manned by Christian Makoun (left) and Brandon Bye (right). The defensive midfield positions were manned by Latif Blessing alongside Matt Polster. In the attacking midfield, the team went with captain Carles Gil in the central attacking position with Dylan Borrero (left) and Jack Panayotou (right). Striker Jozy Altidore as the lone striker.
There was no action reported in the final half, and the match ended 4-0.
Image Courtesy of New England Revolution
With this loss, the Revolution moved to 1-1-2 in the preseason. The Revolution close out their preseason matches in Florida with a game versus Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on February 18th. The match will be broadcasted to fans on Apple TV.
New England Revolution
Philadelphia Union
