FOXBOROUGH, MA – The New England Revolution (7-1-13, 22 pts.) were defeated 3-1 versus Orlando City SC (8-6-9, 30 pts.) in an MLS match on Saturday night.
The match kicked off at Gillette Stadium to a crowd of 25,000.
The starting XI for tonight 💪
Watch free on @appletv | https://t.co/AqgA7JCURn#NEvORL pic.twitter.com/unVz3gTuey
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 13, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Aljaž Ivačič starting in net with a backline of (left back) DeJuan Jones, (center backs) Henry Kessler, and Dave Romney, along with (right back) Brandon Bye. The midfield spots were manned by Tommy McNamara (left defensive midfield) and Matt Polster (right defensive midfield), with Ian Harkes appeared ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Jack Panayotou (left wing), Esmir Bajraktarević (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.
Midfielder Dylan Borrero and midfielder Carles Gil were unavailable for tonight’s match due to injury.
In Carles Gil’s absence, midfielder Matt Polster wore the captain’s armband.
Prior to kickoff, the New England Revolution signed Revolution II forward Marcos Dias to a short-term agreement, making him available for tonight’s match.
ℹ️ The #NERevs have signed Revolution II forward Marcos Dias to a Short-Term Agreement 👇
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 13, 2024
The match kicked off with Orlando City starting from the center circle and quickly advancing the ball into New England’s defensive third.
Orlando had the first moment of the match when forward #11 Martín Ojeda’s effort flew over the bar.
New England’s first chance came in the 11th minute when Giacomo Vrioni found Jack Panayotou inside the six, however, his effort was blocked away for a corner kick.
New England had yet another chance just two minutes later when Esmir Bajraktarević’s long-distant effort was saved by goalkeeper #1 Pedro Gallese.
Entering the 23rd minute, New England took the 1-0 advantage.
𝑮𝒊𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒐🧘♂️#NEvORL pic.twitter.com/qBJjkeDBW3
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 14, 2024
Following a delivery into the area by Esmir Bajraktarević, the ball found DeJuan Jones at the back post who squared the ball kindly for Giacomo Vrioni to have a simple finish inside the six-yard box for the 1-0 lead. This is his 6th goal in 6 games.
Orlando’s next chance came from a tame effort by forward #7 Ramiro Enrique that was saved comfortably by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
![](https://prostinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_6772-X3.jpg)
Vrioni and Panayotou celebrating the Revs first goal.
Orlando’s next chance came in the 41st minute when defender #17 Dagur Þórhallsson’s close-range effort was saved by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
After the initial 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime with New England ahead 1-0.
Leading at the half 🤩#NEvORL | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/Tujlwzz9oU
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 14, 2024
Prior to the start of the second half, Orlando City head coach Óscar Pareja made his first change of the match by replacing defender #24 Kyle Smith with defender #3 Rafael Santos.
The second half began with New England quickly advancing the ball into Orlando’s defensive third.
In the 50th minute, Orlando City defender #6 Robin Jansson was issued a yellow card for fouling Jack Panayotou
Entering the 51st minute, Orlando leveled the match.
Facundo Torres strikes and @OrlandoCitySC are level 😤 pic.twitter.com/cOA5HDEOUM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 14, 2024
Midfielder #77 Iván Angulo found a wide-open midfielder #10 Facundo Torres for a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner to level the scoreline 1-1.
Orlando’s next chance came in the 57th minute when midfielder #10 Facundo Torres’ long-distant effort was blocked away for a corner kick by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
Entering the 58th minute, Orlando City took the lead.
Araújo ➡️ Enrique 🙌 pic.twitter.com/s57QBNxxcL
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 14, 2024
Following a corner kick delivery to the back post by forward #11 Martín Ojeda found the head of midfielder #5 César Araújo who left it kindly for forward #7 Ramiro Enrique for the simple finish inside the six-yard box to make it 2-1 Orlando City.
Orlando’s next chance came in the 61st minute when midfielder #5 César Araújo’s effort went over the crossbar.
Less than two minutes later, New England’s Jack Panayotou’s long-distant effort went just wide of the top left corner.
![](https://prostinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_8279-X3.jpg)
Ian Harkes taking a header in middair over two Orlando defenders.
In the 68th minute, Revolution midfielder Ian Harkes was issued a yellow card.
Following the foul, Orlando City head coach Óscar Pareja made his second and third change of the match by replacing forwards #7 Ramiro Enrique and #11 Martín Ojeda for forward #9 Luis Muriel and midfielder #14 Nicolás Lodeiro.
Nottingham Forest & United States Men’s National Team goalkeeper Matt Turner is in attendance of tonight’s New England Revolution v Orlando City SC match.
He is sitting field level with fans in close proximity of the Revolution’s bench.#NERevs | #MLS
— Caleb Pongratz (@CalebPongratz10) July 14, 2024
New England’s next chance came in the 71st minute when Giacomo Vrioni’s back post effort was met comfortably with a save by goalkeeper #1 Pedro Gallese.
Orlando’s next chance came in the 74th minute when forward #9 Luis Muriel’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
In the 77th minute, Orlando City defender #15 Rodrigo Schlegel was issued a yellow card.
![](https://prostinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_8483-X3.jpg)
Jack Panayotou thanking the fans as he walks off the field after an injury substitution.
In the 80th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second change of the match by replacing Jack Panayotou with Bobby Wood.
Entering the 82nd minute, Orlando added to their lead.
Too smooth 😮💨
Facundo Torres bags a brace on a left-footed beauty. pic.twitter.com/gKF0J3hnzP
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 14, 2024
Forward #9 Luis Muriel found midfielder #10 Facundo Torres for yet another left-footed curling effort into the bottom left corner for his second goal of the match.
Following the goal, Orlando City head coach Óscar Pareja made his fourth change of the match by replacing midfielder #77 Iván Angulo with defender #4 David Brekalo.
In the 88th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his final two changes of the match by replacing Giacomo Vrioni and Brandon Bye for Andrew Farrell and Malcolm Fry. This is Malcolm Fry’s MLS debut.
Malcolm Fry makes his official New England Revolution first team debut in the 87th minute versus Orlando City SC
Fry was a member of the 2022 MLS NEXT Cup Championship Team
He became the 13th Home Grown Player in Revolution History in October#NERevs | #NERevsII | #MLS pic.twitter.com/zG8mEnWF2T
— Caleb Pongratz (@CalebPongratz10) July 14, 2024
Entering the 90+2 minute, Orlando City head coach Óscar Pareja made his final change of the match by replacing midfielder #5 César Araújo with midfielder #33 Jeorgio Kocevski.
After the 90+6 minutes, the match concluded with Orlando holding on for the 3-1 victory.
Final. #NEvORL | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/IJuDCVvKZ0
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 14, 2024
With the result, New England drop to 13th place in the MLS Eastern Conference. They are currently 4 points out of a playoff spot with 2 games in hand.
Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution (7-1-13, 22 pts.) head out to Chester, PA to face Eastern Conference side Philadelphia Union (4-9-10, 21 pts.). The match will kick off at Subaru Park at 7:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday, July 17th. For more MLS content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
For more of Rick Wilson’s photos, you can view them at this link.