FOXBOROUGH, MA – The New England Revolution (7-1-14, 22 pts.) were defeated 5-1 versus Philadelphia Union (5-9-10, 24 pts.) in an MLS match on Wednesday night.
The match kicked off at Subaru Park to a crowd of 20,000.
Your starting XI for tonight! š¤š¤
Watch Live on @appletv #MLSSeasonPass | https://t.co/jxH0V1Dmwr#PHIvNE pic.twitter.com/7m9jswuUJ2
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 17, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 3-4-3 formation with Aljaž IvaÄiÄ starting in net with a backline of (center backs) Jonathan Mensah, Dave Romney, and Xavier Arreaga. The midfield spots were manned by Ryan Spaulding (left midfield), Matt Polster (left central midfielder), Ian Harkes (right central midfielder), and Andrew Farrell (right midfield). The forward roles were manned by Jack Panayotou (left wing), Esmir BajraktareviÄ (right wing), and Bobby Wood 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.
šø pic.twitter.com/FViBbIIlVW
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 17, 2024
The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle. Ian Harkes played the ball back to Xavier Arreaga, who launched the ball swiftly into Philadelphia’s defensive third.
Philadelphia had the first chance of the match less than 90 seconds in when defender #3 Jack Elliot struck the crossbar with a half-volley attempt that went over the bar.
The Union had another chance in the 13th minute when #8 Jose Martinez’ long distance effort went just wide of the net.
Philadelphia had yet another chance less than a minute later when forward #28 Tai Baribo’s long-distance effort was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Aljaž IvaÄiÄ.
Entering the 30th minute, Philadelphia took the lead.
Tai Baribo on the doorstep. āļø@PhilaUnion jump ahead at home off the set piece.
šŗ #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/MSR8eo0Ep6 pic.twitter.com/tF7wIf2L9D
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2024
Following a freekick delivery by defender #27 Kai Wagner, the ball was found at the back post by defender #3 Jack Elliot who then centered the ball to find the head of forward #28 Tai Baribo for the simple finish to make it 1-0.
New England’s first major chance came in the 35th minute when Esmir BajraktareviÄ’s chance was deflected just wide of the net for a corner kick.
Midfielder #8 Jose Martinez then unleashed another long-distance shot that was deflected by goalkeeper Aljaž IvaÄiÄ out for a corner kick.
Entering the 39th minute, Philadelphia added to their lead.
Another set piece, another @PhilaUnion goal!
It's 2-0 to the hosts thanks to Jakob Glesnes. pic.twitter.com/M09NtniFDG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2024
Defender #27 Kai Wagner’s corner kick delivery managed to find the head of defender #5 Jakob Glesnes to add to Philadelphia’s lead.
Entering the 44th minute, Philadelphia added to their lead once more.
Uhre with the hustle & Baribo with the finish.@PhilaUnion are FLYING. pic.twitter.com/1pKxJCzOfT
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2024
Midfielder #7 Mikeal Uhre managed to square pass to find forward #28 Tai Baribo for the finish that was touched by goalkeeper Aljaž IvaÄiÄ and in to make it 3-0 to Philadelphia.
New England’s last chance came in the 45+2 minute when Ian Harkes’ long-distant effort struck the post and out for a goalkick.
After the initial 45+3 minutes, the match entered with Philadelphia ahead level 3-0.
Halftime.#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/vSh09CLG4x
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 18, 2024
The second half kicked off with Philadelphia starting from the center circle and quickly advancing it into the New England defensive third.
Philadelphia had the first moment of the second half when midfielder #8 Jose Martinez struck the post after a delivery into the area.
Entering the 50th minute, New England pulled one back.
What a strike from Ian Harkes. š„@NERevolution are on the board at Subaru Park. pic.twitter.com/mJfn2gcrgG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2024
Forward Esmir BajraktareviÄ found midfielder Ian Harkes, who unleashed a right-footed shot that went into the top left corner to cut the lead down to 2.
Entering the 52nd minute, Philadelphia added to their lead once again.
š© BARIBO HAT TRICK š©
Kai Wagner sets up Tai Baribo for a beauty. pic.twitter.com/ElLx4LS9Nm
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2024
Less than a minute after allowing the goal, defender Kai Wagner sent a ball into the area and forward #28 Tai Baribo for his 3rd goal of the match and to make it 4-1.
In the 58th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first three changes of the match by replacing Bobby Wood, Matt Polster, and Xavier Arreaga with Tommy McNamara, Mark-Anthony Kaye, and Henry Kessler.
Just four minutes later, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his fourth change of the match by replacing Esmir BajraktareviÄ with Malcolm Fry.
In the 66th minute, Revolution forward Jack Panayotou was issued a yellow card.
New England’s next chance came from midfielder Malcolm Fry when his dribbling effort into the area struck the outside of the netting.
In the 71st minute, Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin made his first two changes of the match by replacing midfielder #11 Alejandro Bedoya and forward #7 Mikael Uhre with midfielders #20 Jesus Bueno and #33 Quinn Sullivan.
Peyton Miller makes his official New England Revolution first team debut in the 74th minute versus Philadelphia Union#NERevs | #NERevsII | #MLS pic.twitter.com/JEvY0L8LuG
— Caleb Pongratz (@CalebPongratz10) July 18, 2024
Just 3 minutes later, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his final change of the match by replacing Ryan Spaulding with Peyton Miller. This is Peyton Miller’s MLS debut. He is the second youngest player in New England Revolution history to make their Home-Grown Player MLS debut (Diego Fagundez is the youngest).
Entering the 84th minute, Philadelphia added to their lead.
Incredible finish from Quinn Sullivan! š¤
Plus a sweet celebration with his brother Cavan, getting ready for his debut. pic.twitter.com/1WJmYD1iwg
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2024
Midfielder #33 Quin Sullivan unleashed a rocket of a right-footed shot into the left corner of the net to make it 5-1.
Following the goal, Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin made his final change of the match by replacing forward #28 Tai Baribo with midfielder #6 Cavan Sullivan.
The moment 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan made history. š pic.twitter.com/7MuOWQMQgb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2024
Cavan Sullivan at 14 years and 293 days becomes the youngest player ever to debut among the top North American professional sports leagues (MLS, MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, NWSL).
In the 90+2 minute, midfielder #6 Cavan Sullivan had a chance when his left-footed shot was met with a comfortable save by goalkeeper Aljaž IvaÄiÄ.
After the 90+3 minute, the match concluded with Philadelphia defeating the Revolution 5-1.
Final. #PHIvNE | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/1HK0rICfNu
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 18, 2024
With this result, the New England Revolution have fallen into LAST PLACE in the MLS Eastern Conference.
They have the second worst record in the entire league. (St. Louis City has the same record but has 10 less goals against).
Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution (7-1-14, 22 pts.) return home to face Western Conference side FC Dallas (8-5-11, 29 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 Burt Granofsky’s photos, you can view them at this link.