Revolution fall to L.A. Galaxy, 2-1, in first home match in 11 days
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution (8-9-10; 34 pts.) were defeated by the LA Galaxy (11-11-4; 37 pts.), 2-1, on Sunday night at Gillette Stadium. The Galaxy raced out to an early two-goal lead in the first 15 minutes, before midfielder Carles Gil scored his sixth goal of the season, assisted by Tommy McNamara, but the Revolution’s comeback effort fell short.
The visitors struck first in the fourth minute as Daniel Aguirre collected an assist from Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and finished past Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrović for the game’s opening goal. Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig then fed Chicharito for the second goal in the 15th minute. New England threatened the Galaxy end with a series of chances before halftime, including shots on goal from Tommy McNamara and Emmanuel Boateng, but went into halftime with a two-goal deficit.
New England was finally able to cut into the Galaxy’s lead in the 82nd minute with Carles Gil’s curling left-footed effort, a Goal of the Week nominee that looped over LA goalkeeper Jonathan Bond and nestled into the upper corner. The Revolution mustered five shots on target in the second half, but were unable to come up with the equalizer.
Gustavo Bou, who returned to action for the first time since July 16, entered the game as a halftime substitute and notched two shots, with one on target. Three Revolution Homegrown Players appeared in tonight’s match as Justin Rennicks made his sixth straight start, a career high for the forward, while midfielders Esmir Bajraktarevic and Noel Buck each appeared off the bench.
The Revolution continue the homestand on Wednesday, August 31, hosting Chicago Fire FC in a pivotal Eastern Conference clash on Carles Gil Bobblehead Night. The match at Gillette Stadium kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on WSBK-TV38, myRITV, Cozi TV, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and WBIX 1260 AM Nossa Radio. Pregame coverage from CBS Boston begins at 7:00 p.m. with Revolution Kickoff Live.
Match Notes
— Carles Gil netted his sixth goal of the 2022 campaign in the 82nd minute, converting on Tommy McNamara’s sixth assist of the season. Gil’s 19 combined goals and assists this season ranked tied for eighth in MLS.
— Gil guided New England’s attack with a game-high five shots, along with four chances created. The reigning MLS MVP has reached the scoresheet in four of the last five matches with two goals and two assists during that span.
— Gustavo Bou made his first appearance since July 16, entering the match tonight as a substitute at halftime for Justin Rennicks. The Argentinian striker logged two shots, including one on target.
— Justin Rennicks, a Homegrown Player from South Hamilton, Mass., posted his career-high sixth consecutive start tonight.
— Fellow Homegrown Players Esmir Bajraktarevic and Noel Buck of Arlington, Mass. both appeared off the bench in tonight’s match. Bajraktarevic has played in three straight matches, while Buck has appeared in three of the last four.
— Bruce Arena deployed three changes to the starting lineup to face his former team in the LA Galaxy, which he coached from 2008-16. Defender Henry Kessler and midfielders Christian Makoun, and Emmanuel Boateng replaced Jon Bell, A.J. DeLaGarza, and Esmir Bajraktarevic in the Starting XI.