Revolution on brink of elimination after 3-1 loss to Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, Penn. (October 28, 2023) – The New England Revolution (No. 5) opened the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union (No. 4) on Saturday night at Subaru Park in Game 1 of the best-of-three Round One series. Gustavo Bou tallied his fourth career postseason goal in the 68th minute of a match that saw seven Revolution players make their MLS Cup Playoffs debut, but three first-half goals from the Union proved to be the difference to hand Game 1 to the hosts.
New England opened the game on the front foot, controlling the possession and threatening the Philadelphia goal as Homegrown Player Noel Buck rattled a shot off the crossbar in the ninth minute. Buck went on to complete 100 percent of his passes in his playoff debut. Philadelphia turned the tables with their first goal of the match in the 19th minute.
After a video review confirmed that Revolution goalkeeper Jacob Jackson brought down a Union player in the penalty area, Philadelphia’s Dániel Gazdag converted from the spot to put the hosts ahead, 1-0. Mikael Uhre and Nathan Harriel added goals in the 26th and 37th minutes, respectively, to extend Philadelphia’s lead to three before the intermission.
Carles Gil, New England’s regular season leader in goals (11) and assists (15), was fouled multiple times in the early action, ultimately being forced to leave in the 23rd minute with a right leg injury following a late challenge. Forward Bobby Wood entered the match for Gil, his first playoff action with the Revolution, and recorded two shots.
The Revolution got on the board in the 68th minute with Giacomo Vrioni and Bou combining for the Argentinian’s third goal against Philadelphia in the last two weeks. Vrioni fought through a Union defender to slide the ball to the top of the box where Bou collected and muscled his way through multiple Union defenders to create a tight-angled shot, which he roofed past Andre Blake at the near post. Wood nearly added a second goal for the Revolution in the 75th minute, redirecting a cross from Emmanuel Boateng on target that was parried off the woodwork by Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.
The best-of-three Round One series resumes on Wednesday, Nov. 8 when Philadelphia visits New England at Gillette Stadium for Game 2. Tickets are on sale now at Revolutionsoccer.net/tickets. The 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff and every match of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs is available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Game 2 will also be televised nationally on FS1 and FOX Deportes. Listen to the Revolution’s radio call on ROCK 92.9 FM and 1260 AM Nossa Radio.
