Revolution enter playoffs on high note after 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union
OXBOROUGH, Mass. (October 21, 2023) – The New England Revolution (15-9-10; 55 pts. – 5th in East) defeated the Philadelphia Union (15-9-10; 55 pts. – 4th in East), 2-1, on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium to secure the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference entering the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. The victory sets up a rematch of the Revolution and Union in the best-of-three Round One series; the complete Round One playoff schedule is expected to be announced on Sunday.
Gustavo Bou recorded a first-half brace in his 100th MLS appearance, while goalkeeper Jacob Jackson made two saves to secure his first MLS win in front of 41,355 fans. The Argentine’s two goals gave New England its 12th home win to tie the club’s single-season record. With a 12-1-4 mark at home during the regular season, the Revolution set a new single-season attendance record in 2023 with an average of 23,940 fans per match, among the top 10 attendance figures in MLS.
In the regular season finale, Philadelphia opened the scoring when Julian Carranza poked a loose ball into an open net in the 16th minute, following a miscommunication between Jackson and Dave Romney. Only nine minutes later, Gustavo Bou responded with his first goal since July 15, tallying from the penalty spot after Philadelphia was called for handling in the box. Bou secured his brace just before halftime as Noel Buck fed a pass to Carles Gil, who sent Bou in on goal for his 50th tally across all competitions with New England. Bou’s 44 regular season goals are fifth most in club history, and the second most by a Revolution player in his first 100 games.
For Gil, the helper gave him 15 assists in a season for the second time in his career. He finishes the campaign with 26 goal involvements, tied for second most in team single-season history and the most by a Revolution player since 2014. The three-time Revolution Team MVP also claimed the team’s 2023 Golden Boot award, finishing the regular season with a team-leading 11 goals. Since the start of 2019, he is one of only four MLS players with 10 goals and 15 assists in a season.
Revolution defender Dave Romney played 90 minutes on Saturday, making him the only outfield player to play every minute of the 2023 MLS season. He is the second Revolution player to have a perfect service record across a 34-game regular season, the other being José Gonçalves in 2013.
New England will open the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs with an away match at Philadelphia in the best-of-three Round One series. Tickets for the Revolution’s home playoff game will go on sale on Monday, Oct. 23, after the complete Round One schedule is revealed on Sunday. Watch every Revolution match in Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish, or listen to the Revolution’s local radio calls on 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) and 1260 AM Nossa Radio in Portuguese.