FOXBOROUGH, MA – The New England Revolution (7-2-14, 23 pts.) were victorious 1-0 over Mazatlán F.C. (8-6-11, 30 pts.) in a Leagues Cup match on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at Gillette Stadium to a crowd of 16,042.

Starting XI, Leagues Cup edition#LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/S5ZQCv5erK

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 27, 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) Peyton Miller, (center backs) Henry Kessler, and Xavier Arreaga, along with (right back) Brandon Bye. The midfield spots were manned by Mark-Anthony Kaye (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 Tommy McNamara (left wing), Esmir Bajraktarević (right wing), and Bobby Wood as the lone striker.

All three Designated Players were unavailable for tonight’s match due to injuries.

In Carles Gil’s absence, midfielder Matt Polster wore the captain’s armband.

🔵🔴🔵🔴#LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/L1TVRIm4Ro

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 28, 2024

The match kicked off with Mazatlán kicking off from the center circle and electing to build out of the back to start the match.

Mazatlán had the first chance of the match entering the 4th minute when an initial ball into the Revolution penalty area was cleared away by Matt Polster.

New England’s first chance came as the match entered the 9th minute when an ensuing corner kick by Esmir Bajraktarević was headed on by Henry Kessler and claimed by goalkeeper #13 Hugo González.

New England had yet another chance in the 26th minute when Esmir Bajraktarević’s freekick try went beckoning over the bar.

Midfielder Ian Harkes then had a right-footed opportunity in the 30th minute, but his effort went wide of the left post.

The best chance of the half came entering the 45th minute when Brandon Bye’s left-footed delivery found the head of Tommy McNamara but went just wide of the left post.

After the initial 45+1 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 0-0.

Even at the half. #LeaguesCup2024 | #NEvMZT pic.twitter.com/GBkEfDxAfn

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 28, 2024

The second half began with New England starting from the center circle and quickly electing to build out of the back to start the half.

New England had the first chance of the second half when a corner kick delivery was headed just wide of the net by Bobby Wood.

Just two minutes later, Ian Harkes had a chance of his own that was met comfortably with a save by goalkeeper #13 Hugo González.

Mazatlán’s first chance came in the 51st minute when a corner kick delivery was headed clear by Xavier Arreaga.

Defender Henry Kessler looks to make a pass in a Leagues Cup Match. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution

In the 59th minute, Mazatlán F.C. defender #3 Gustavo Sánchez was issued a yellow card for fouling Esmir Bajraktarević.

Mazatlán’s next chance came moments later when midfielder #11 Édgar Bárcenas’s effort from outside the box went just wide of the left post.

Less than one minute later, midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye had a chance of his own that was saved away by goalkeeper #13 Hugo González.

Mazatlán’s next chance came in the 62nd minute when midfielder #8 Josué Colmán’s long-distant effort was met with a palm-stopping save by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.

Midfielder Tommy McNamara looks to make a pass in a Leagues Cup Match. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution

In the 64th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first two changes by replacing Mark-Anthony Kaye and Tommy McNamara with Emmanuel Boateng and Jack Panayotou.

In the 68th minute, Mazatlán head coach Victor Vucetich made his first three changes of the match by replacing defender #4 Jair Díaz & midfielders #18 Alan Torres and #16 José Esquivel with midfielders #17 Alonso Escoboza & #23 Jordan Sierra, along with forward #32 Gustavo Javier del Prete.

Entering the 69th minute, New England took the 1-0 advantage.

First career goal for homegrown Jack Panayotou! 👏

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— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 28, 2024

Midfielder Emmanuel Boateng sent a pass into the foot of midfielder Matt Polster, who then centered the ball to find midfielder Jack Panayotou for his first professional goal for the New England Revolution.

In the 73rd minute, Mazatlán head coach Victor Vucetich made his fourth change by replacing midfielder #8 Josué Colmán with forward #20 Ramiro Zárate.

In the 77th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his 3rd and final change of the match by replacing Peyton Miller with Nick Lima.

Midfielder Jack Panayotou poses after scoring his first career goal. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution

Just two minutes later, in the 79th minute, Revolution midfielder Matt Polster and Mazatlán F.C. midfielder #11 Édgar Bárcenas were both issued yellow cards.

In the 90th minute, Mazatlán F.C. forward #20 Ramiro Zárate was issued a yellow card for fouling Esmir Bajraktarević.

Following the foul, Mazatlán head coach Victor Vucetich made his fifth and final change of the match by replacing midfielder #6 Roberto Meraz with forward #9 Brian Rubio.

Midfielder Matt Polster looks to make a decision during a Leagues Cup Match. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution

Entering the 90+1 minute, New England almost added another when midfielder Emmanuel Boateng’s chip attempt went just over the crossbar.

Mazatlán’s last chance came in the 90+1 minute when a headed ball by midfielder #11 Édgar Bárcenas was met with a stop by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.

After the 90+5 minute, the match concluded with New England holding on to the 1-0 victory.

That's a W 💪 pic.twitter.com/BUTYzQHx9M

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 28, 2024

Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution (7-2-14, 23 pts. in MLS, 1-0 in Leagues Cup) remain home to face MLS side Nashville SC. (6-8-11, 26 pts., 0-0 in Leagues Cup) in a Leagues Cup Match. The match will kick off at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, July 27th. For more MLS content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, you can view them at this link.