The New England Revolution failed to deliver on Rivalry Week in MLS.
The New York Red Bulls played well enough to secure a 4-2 victory over the Revolution in the 84th meeting between these original MLS franchises on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. The Revolution are 35-32-17 in the series.
The Revolution, who are in last place in the Eastern Conference, begin a two-game homestand against the Philadelphia Union on next Saturday night (7:30) at Gillette Stadium.
“I thought our attack played extremely well and Red Bulls are a team that want to press,” said Revolution coach Caleb Porter. “I feel we are on the right track playing the way that we played.”
Porter’s Starting XI against the Red Bulls was nearly identical to the crew he ushered onto the pitch in the Revolution’s 1-0 win against Chicago Fire FC on May 4. The only alteration Porter made was starting veteran Andrew Farrell and right back in place of Ryan Spaulding. Defensive midfielder Matt Polster made his 100th MLS career start.
“I thought we got in positions to execute the game in rotation and pattern of play,” Porter said.
The contrasting schemes and styles were on display from the onset. First-year NYRB head coach Sandro Schwarz employs a 4-4-2 formation while Porter prefers a 4-2-3-1 method of attack.
The Red Bulls went up 1-0 on sniper Lewis Morgan’s eighth of the season. Defender Sean Nealis launched a clear to Morgan, who got behind Farrell. Morgan closed on the goal, added a hitch his step and fired the ball past Revolution keeper Aljaz Ivacic, who was making his second start.
Ivacic made small measure amends with a big save on a free kick by John Tolkin from just outside the middle of the box in the 16th minute. The Revs dodged a bullet when Emil Forsberg’s uncontested kick from 20-feet hit the crossbar in the 19th minute.
The Revolution tied the game 1-1 in the 24th minute on a reversal of roles. Revolution sniper Tomas Chancalay, who scored in the last two games, possessed the ball on the left flank and fired a cross into the middle of the scoring area. Playmaker Carles Gil got position and headed the ball past NYRB keeper Carlos Coronel for his team-high fourth of the season.
“I think we are starting to get some chemistry in our attack,” said Porter. “Tomas serving in the box, Carles getting in the box, we are starting to ger some chemistry.”
The Revolution were penalized when center back Henry Kessler was called for a handball in the penalty area while defending attacker Wikelman Carmona. Forsberg scored on the penalty kick to make it 2-1 in the 43rd minute. Reserve attacker Elias Manoel scored in the 85th minute to close out the match.
“I thought the penalty was very harsh at that moment in the half to make it 2-1 going into the break,” said Porter.
Revs striker Giacomo Vrioni scored in the 90th minute but could not finish the comeback. In a somber ending to the game, Dylan Borrero, who had just returned to the lineup following knee surgery, was taken off the field on a stretcher in stoppage time.
