FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (9-4-20, 31 pts.) were defeated 4-0 versus Columbus Crew (18-9-6 63 pts.) on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Lower.com Field to a crowd of 44,000.

Your starting XI 👊#CLBvNE pic.twitter.com/tUbx8WGnRZ

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) October 12, 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 Tim Parker, 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 appearing ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Dylan Borrero (left wing), Luca Langoni (right wing), and Giacomo Vrioni as the lone striker.

Warmups ✅#CLBvNE pic.twitter.com/ndVePG2phs

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) October 12, 2024

The match began with Columbus Crew starting from the center circle and swiftly advancing the ball into New England’s defensive third through the midfield.

Entering the 5th minute, Columbus gained the lead.

Upper 90 banger in under 5’ 🤯 pic.twitter.com/nO8kmWcJsU

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) October 12, 2024

Midfielder #13 AZ Jones slotted the ball down the right flank to find defender #12 DeJuan Jones. The former Revolution defender took one touch to receive the ball, one touch to cut inside, and leathered a ball into the top left corner for the first goal of match.

Just 3 minutes later, New England had their first effort on goal when Luca Langoni’s long-distant effort was comfortably saved by goalkeeper #22 Abraham Romero.

Entering the 14th minute, Columbus added to their lead

Magical Matan 🪄 pic.twitter.com/j7God8AecI

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) October 12, 2024

Following a bad giveaway in midfield by Ian Harkes due to a terrible pass by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič, the ball was intercepted by midfielder #7 Dylan Chambost. He then quickly found forward #20 Alexandru Mățan, who took one receiving touch and then buried the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0 to Columbus.

New England’s next chance came in the 22nd minute when Dylan Borrero’s effort was comfortably caught by goalkeeper #22 Abraham Romero.

Just four minutes later, New England had another chance when Tim Parker’s header from the corner kick went just wide of the net.

Columbus almost added to their lead in the 29th minute when defender #27 Max Arfsten’s effort went just wide of the net.

Defender #27 Max Arfsten had yet another amazing opportunity when his L-Turn effort and shot went just wide of the net in the 38th minute.

After the initial 45+1 minutes, the match entered halftime with Columbus ahead 2-0.

Halftime.#CLBvNE | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/QV0tGDPQk0

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) October 13, 2024

The second half began with New England starting from the center circle and quickly advanced the ball into Columbus’ defensive third.

In the 50th minute, Revolution defender Dave Romney was issued a yellow card.

Columbus had the first effort in the second half when midfielder #7 Dylan Chambost’ effort went high over the bar in the 54th minute.

Just 5 minutes later, Columbus had another effort from midfielder #10 Diego Rossi’s effort went high over the goal.

In the 61st minute, Columbus Crew head coach Wilfrid Nancy made his first two changes of the match by replacing midfielders #6 Darlington Nagbe and #13 Aziel Jackson with midfielder #5 Derrick Jones and forward #19 Jacen Russell-Rowe.

Entering the 64th minute, Columbus added to their lead.

Matan battled for the brace 😤⚔️ pic.twitter.com/4StDYRtjob

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) October 13, 2024

Following a through-ball by defender #4 Rudy Camacho, he found midfielder #20 Alexandru Mățan in a 1v1 scenario where he managed to chest trap the ball down and around defender Brandon Bye and then managed to slot his right footed shot into the bottom right corner to make it 3-0 to Columbus.

Following the goal, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by replacing midfielder Matt Polster with midfielder Nacho Gil.

Columbus almost added to their lead entering the 67th minute when forward #17 Jacen-Russell Rowe’s

In the 68th minute, Columbus Crew head coach Wilfrid Nancy made his third and fourth changes of the match by replacing midfielder #27 Maximillian Arfsten and forward #10 Diego Rossi with defender #2 Marcelo Herrera and forward #17 Christian Ramirez.

Entering the 72nd minute, Columbus added to their lead once again.

Matan's just like that 🎩🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/piW2uUHfcv

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) October 13, 2024

Following a through-ball by defender #12 DeJuan Jones, he managed to find midfielder #20 Alexandru Mățan in behind. He took the ball and drove down the left flank and slotted a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner for his hattrick and the 4-0 advantage for Columbus Crew.

Following the goal, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made three more changes. He replaced Giacomo Vrioni, Will Sands and Luca Langoni with Bobby Wood, Nick Lima, and Emmanuel Boateng.

In the 74th minute, Columbus Crew head coach Wilfrid Nancy made his final change of the match by replacing midfielder #20 Alexandru Mățan with midfielder #14 Yaw Yeboah.

We play for you 🖤💛#Crew96 ✘ @WhiteClaw pic.twitter.com/RHO6OKmF5x

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) October 14, 2024

In the 79th minute, Revolution midfielder Emmanuel Boateng was issued a yellow card.

Columbus’ last moment came in the 86th minute when midfielder #14 Yaw Yeboah’s effort missed just wide of the top corner and struck the side netting.

After the 90+2 minutes, the match concluded with Columbus holding on for the comfortable 4-0 victory.

Final.#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/Rux2RuindP

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) October 13, 2024

The New England are eliminated from the 2024 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

This result moves New England to 14th in the MLS Eastern Conference.

The New England Revolution (9-4-20, 31 pts.) are on the road where they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side Inter Miami CF (21-8-4, 71 pts.) on Saturday, October 19th. The match kicks off at Chase Stadium at 7:30 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)