Revolution’s slump continues after falling to Orlando City SC 3-2
ORLANDO, Fla. (October 7, 2023) – The New England Revolution (14-8-10; 52 pts. – 5th in East) fell to Orlando City SC (17-7-9; 60 pts. – 2nd in East), 3-2, on Saturday night at Exploria Stadium. Revolution captain Carles Gil tallied his third two-goal performance in MLS, giving him a career-high 11 goals on the season, but New England’s comeback attempt fell just short in Florida.
After Orlando jumped out to an early advantage, finding the scoresheet in the 31st and 37th minutes, Gil got New England on the board with a left-footed shot from well outside the box that knuckled towards Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who spilled it into the net. With the Revolution within a goal and rallying, Orlando again extended its lead to two goals in the 45th minute, swinging momentum back to the hosts at halftime.
Interim Head Coach Clint Peay deployed three changes at halftime, bringing on Gustavo Bou, Henry Kessler, and Emmanuel Boateng to help shift the match back in New England’s direction. In the second half, Gil was denied by Gallese from point-blank range as he stepped onto Boateng’s cross in the penalty area, but the Orlando goalkeeper made the stop to keep the deficit at two. Gil completed his brace in the 93rd minute with another long-range effort, this one deflecting off an Orlando City player to freeze Gallese and beat him to the near post. However, the final whistle sounded moments later, leaving no time for New England to complete the comeback.
Gil’s first-half tally gave him double-digit goals for the second time in MLS, while his second strike set his new career high at 11 goals, most on the Revolution this season. The Spaniard is now the first player in team history with multiple 10-goal and 10-assist seasons. Gil’s 25 goal contributions are also a new personal best and the fourth most in a season in club history. He joins Taylor Twellman (2002, 2005) as the only Revolution players to record at least 24 goal contributions in two different seasons.
Mark-Anthony Kaye and DeJuan Jones both appeared on the scoresheet with the assists on Gil’s goals. Kaye has helped create goals in two of the last three games, while Jones’ seven assists this season tie his career high. Tonight’s match also saw the return of defender Henry Kessler, who entered as a substitute in the 46th minute to mark his first MLS appearance since April 8. Seeing his first action since a hamstring injury that required surgery, the fourth-year center back completed 95 percent of his passes in the match.
New England is on the road for the final time in the regular season next weekend to face Nashville SC (12-10-10; 46 pts. – 7th in East) at GEODIS Park on Saturday, October 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Watch the match for free on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen to the Revolution’s local radio calls on 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) and 1260 AM Nossa Radio in Portuguese. The Revolution will then close the regular season at home on MLS Decision Day against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Oct. 21. (6:00 p.m. ET).
