New England fall 2-0 at home to Philadelphia Union

FOXBOROUGH, MA– New England Revolution (0-1-2, 1 pts) were defeated 2-0 versus Philadelphia Union (3-0-0, 9 pts) on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium to a crowd of 10,000.

Starting Lineup versus Philadelphia Union.

New England starting lineup: 4-2-3-1 | Aljaž Ivačič, Ilay Feingold, Brayan Ceballos, Mamadou Fofana, Brandon Bye, Alhassan Yusuf, Jackson Yueill, Carles Gil (C), Luca Langoni, Ignatius Ganago, Leonardo Campana

New England substitutes:| Alex Bono, Wyatt Omsberg, Tanner Beason, Andrew Farrell, Noel Buck, Eric Klein, Jack Panayotou, Luis Diaz, Maxi Urruti

Philadelphia Union starting lineup: 3-5-2 | Andre Blake (C), Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, Francis Westfield, Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukić, Dániel Gazdag, Quinn Sullivan, Tai Baribo, Mikael Uhre

Philadelphia Union substitutes:|Cavan Sullivan, Jesús Bueno, Indiana Vassilev, Bruno Damiani, Ian Glavinovich, Alejandro Bedoya, Olivier Mbaizo, Chris Donovan, Andrew Vincent Rick

The MLS game ball sits on a pedestal before an MLS game between the New England Revolution and the Philadelphia Union on March 8, 2025. (c) Yannick Teixeira

The match kicked off with Philadelphia Union starting from the center circle and swiftly advancing the ball into New England’s defensive third.

New England had the first chance of the match when Carles Gil found Ignatius Ganago in behind in the 4th minute. Ganago played a cut-back cross to find Leo Campana for a shot that went wide.

Following the shot, Leo Campana went down injured and immediately asked for a substitution. It appeared to be a hamstring injury.

In the 10th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by replacing Leo Campana with Maxi Urruti.

New England had the next chances in the 16th minute when multiple opportunities were blocked away.

Philadelphia’s first chance came in the 17th minute when Mikael Uhre’s effort was met with a diving save by Aljaž Ivačič out for a throw-in.

Maxi Urruti looks to trap the ball during an MLS match versus Philadelphia Union. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution

Less than 30 seconds later, New England had a chance of their own when Carles’ Gil’s shot went just wide of the net.

Philadelphia’s next chance came in the 22nd minute when Dániel Gazdag’s shot was met with a comfortable save by Aljaž Ivačič.

Philadelphia had the best chance of the half entering the 23rd minute when Dániel Gazdag had a shot from a cut-back cross that went high over the crossbar. Gazdag and Feingold were down due to a collision during the shot but both continued and did not receive medical attention.

Philadelphia’s next chance came entering the 33rd minute when Jovan Lukić’s effort went just wide of the right post.

In the 44th minute, Philadelphia Union midfielder Dániel Gazdag was issued a yellow card for persistent infringement on Carles Gil.

After 45+4 minutes, the match entered halftime with the scoreline level at 0-0.

Halftime between New England & Philadelphia.

The second half kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. They elected to move the ball to the right, back to Ivačič and up the left flank of the field.

Philadelphia had the first chance of the second half when a free kick delivery by Kai Wagner in the 50th minute struck the crossbar and then was smothered by Aljaž Ivačič.

In the 52nd minute, Revolution midfielder Luca Langoni was issued a yellow card.

New England’s next chance came from a Luca Langoni side-volley attempt that went high into the stands in the 57th minute.

Both New England and Philadelphia look to contest for a ball during an MLS match. (c) Yannick Teixeira

Entering the 59th minute, Philadelphia had thought they had scored, however, a player was deemed offsides and the scoreline remained 0-0.

In the 63rd minute, Philadelphia head coach Bradley Carnell made his first two changes of the match by replacing Mikael Uhre & Quinn Sullivan with Bruno Damiani & Indiana Vassilev.

In the 67th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second change of the match by replacing Luca Langoni with Luis Diaz.

New England’s next major chance came in the 68th minute when Maxi Urruti’s long-distant effort was met with a diving save by Andre Blake.

Entering the 75th minute, Philadelphia gained the 1-0 lead.

Tai Baribo scores his sixth goal in three games for the Union!

The visitors take the lead. pic.twitter.com/hBVno62xXC

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 9, 2025

Following a left-footed delivery into the box, defender Ilay Feingold was out jumped by forward Tai Baribo for the headed finish off the post for his 6th goal of the season.

In the 78th minute, Philadelphia Union forward Tai Baribo was issued a yellow card for a foul on Jackson Yueill.

Less than one minute later, Philadelphia head coach Bradley Carnell made his third change of the match by replacing Tai Baribo with Alejandro Bedoya.

Brayan Ceballos looks to make a pass during an MLS match versus Philadelphia Union. (c) Yannick Teixeira

In the 82nd minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his third and fourth changes of the match by replacing Will Sands & Jackson Yueill with Brandon Bye & Noel Buck.

In the 86th minute, play was stopped after defender Mamadou Fofana was spiked by Bruno Damiani. No foul was called & Fofana received medical attention.

In the 89th minute, Philadelphia head coach Bradley Carnell made his fourth change of the match by replacing Daniel Gazdag with Chris Donovan.

Jovan Lukić looks to make a pass during an MLS match. (c) Yannick Teixeira

Entering the 90th minute, Philadelphia Union midfielder Olwethu Makhanya was issued a yellow card.

Philadelphia had the next best chance when a low-driven free kick by Kai Wagner was cleared off the line with a hand swipe by Aljaž Ivačič in the 90+3 minute.

Entering the 90+6 minute, Philadelphia added to their lead.

Jovan Lukic with his first MLS goal to double the lead for Philly. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/t226DIZi7T

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 9, 2025

Following a cut-back cross by Indiana Vassilev, midfielder Jovan Lukić unleashed a right-footed shot that struck the post and in to make it 2-0.

In the 90+9 minute, Revolution defender Brayan Ceballos was issued a yellow card.

After the 90+10 minutes, the match concluded with Philadelphia holding on with the comfortable 2-0 victory over New England.

Fulltime between New England & Philadelphia.

New England have started the first 3 matches of the season without a goal scored.

Their current goal-less drought is 326 minutes, dating back to last year.

The New England Revolution (0-1-2, 1 pts.) are on the as they are set to face off against Eastern Conference side New York City FC (0-1-1, 1 pts). The match is set to kickoff at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, March 15th 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)