FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (8-2-14, 26 pts.) were victorious 5-0 over CF Montréal (6-9-11, 27 pts.) on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Stadium Saputo to a crowd of 17,267.

Our XI vs. @cfmontreal 🤜🤛

Watch free on @AppleTV: https://t.co/igMR5Nrbtu#MTLvNE pic.twitter.com/AWQfpuMf3L

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 24, 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) Will Sands, (center backs) Dave Romney, and Xavier Arreaga, along with (right back) Brandon Bye. The midfield spots were manned by Matt Polster (left defensive midfield) and Mark-Anthony Kaye (right defensive midfield), with Ian Harkes appeared ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Emmanuel Boateng (left wing), Esmir Bajraktarevic (right wing), and Bobby Wood as the lone striker.

Midfielder Alhassan Yusuf was unavailable as he has yet to travel to New England. Reports indicate that he has received his P-1 VISA and should arrive next week.

💙❤️#MTLvNE pic.twitter.com/a2W0OssqtH

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 24, 2024

The match began with New England starting from the center circle and swiftly advancing the ball into CF Montreal’s defensive third.

Entering the 7th minute, New England gained the early lead.

Capi ➡️ Brandon Bye ➡️ Bobby Wood #MTLvNE | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/FPA6TNLLwG

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 24, 2024

Midfielder Carles Gil played the ball down the line to find Brandon Bye, who then sent the ball centrally to find Bobby Wood for the bar-down finish to make it 1-0.

Less than 3 minutes later, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter was forced to make his first change of the match by replacing Brandon Bye with Nick Lima.

CF Montréal’s first moment of the match came in the 15th minute when midfielder #19 Nathan Saliba took a long-distant effort that led to a save by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.

Less than one minute later, midfielder #23 Caden Clark had a chance of his own that led to yet another save by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.

In the 30th minute, Revolution midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was issued a yellow card.

Entering the 36th minute, New England added to their lead.

Bobby Wood 🪵⚽️⚽️#MTLvNE | 0-2 pic.twitter.com/G11MKykzDB

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 25, 2024

Following a delivery into the box by Will Sands, the ball fell to the feet of Bobby Wood. Wood had fallen to the floor, had the ball trapped in his legs, and then was eventually tapped into the net past goalkeeper #40 Jonathan Sirois to make it 2-0. It went down as an own goal for defender #16 Joel Waterman.

New England’s next chance came entering the 39th minute when Esmir Bajraktarevic struck the left post.

Less than one minute later, Emmanuel Boateng had a chance of his own that was thwarted by goalkeeper #40 Jonathan Sirois.

After the initial 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime with New England ahead 2-0.

Up at the half. #MTLvNE | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/weq6uTyqZw

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 25, 2024

Prior to the start of the second half, CF Montréal head coach Laurent Courtois made his first two changes of the match by replacing midfielder #46 Tom Pearce & defender #3 Joaquin Sosa and replaced them with midfielder #21 Lassi Lappaleinen & defender #44 Raheem Edwards

The second half began with CF Montréal starting from the center circle and electing to attempt to build out of the back.

CF Montréal’s first chance came in the 53rd minute when midfielder #21 Lassi Lappalainen missed from less than six-yards out.

In the 62nd minute, CF Montréal head coach Laurent Courtois made his third change of the match by replacing midfielders #6 Samuel Piette and #23 Caden Clark with forwards #7 Kwadwo Opoku and #14 Sunusi Ibrahim.

In the 65th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter then made his second and third changes by replacing Bobby Wood and Emmanuel Boateng with Giacomo Vrioni and Dylan Borrero.

Entering the 72nd minute, New England added to their lead.

Nick Lima 🚀⚽️ What a finish!#MTLvNE pic.twitter.com/nel8ByWHkp

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 25, 2024

Midfielder Carles Gil slid the ball forward into the box which was dummied by Giacomo Vrioni and fell to defender Nick Lima for the wide-open finish to make it 3-0 to New England.

In the 77th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his fourth and fifth changes of the match by replacing Carles Gil and Esmir Bajraktarevic with Ian Harkes and Giacomo Vrioni.

Entering the 79th minute, New England added to their lead.

⚽️ VRIONI! And @luca_langoni first @mls assist!#MTLvNE pic.twitter.com/GNP94oavsz

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 25, 2024

Winger Luca Langoni found forward Giacomo Vrioni for the easy tap-in to make it 4-0 to New England.

In the 82nd minute, CF Montreal midfielder #10 Bryce Duke was issued a yellow card.

Less than 3 minutes later, New England added to their lead once again.

⚽️ @luca_langoni! 🔥 What a debut!#MTLvNE | @MLS pic.twitter.com/qLsGxTrxcy

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 25, 2024

Winger Luca Langoni’s shot went through the hands of goalkeeper #40 Jonathan Sirois to make it 5-0.

In the 85th minute, CF Montreal defender #44 Raheem Edwards was issued a yellow card.

Entering the 89th minute, New England had thought that they received a sixth goal from Giacomo Vrioni, however, he was called offside.

After the 90+2 minutes, the match concluded with New England winning 5-0.

Full Time

With the result, New England moves to 12th in the MLS Eastern Conference. They currently sit 2 points below the playoff line

The New England Revolution (8-2-14, 26 pts.) remain on the road to out to the Sandy, Utah where they are set to face MLS Western Conference side Real Salt Lake (12-8-6, 51 pts.) on Saturday, August 31st. The match kicks off in America First Field at 9:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)