Revolution Still Winless After 4-1 Defeat to Atlanta United FC
ATLANTA (March 9, 2024) – The New England Revolution (0-3-0; 0 pts.) fell on the road to Atlanta United FC (1-1-0; 3 pts.), 4-1, on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Carles Gil tallied the lone goal for New England, combining with his younger brother, Nacho, marking the second time the two have connected on a goal so far this season in all competitions.
New England began the match on the front foot, with Tomás Chancalay striking the cross bar with a powerful header in the 14th minute off Nick Lima’s pinpoint cross. The Argentine led his team with seven shots, including three on target, marking a seventh straight league game in which Chancalay has attempted at least five shots.
Atlanta broke the deadlock with a penalty kick moments before the halftime whistle. Atlanta forward Giorgios Giakoumakis was tripped up in the box by Revolution goalkeeper Henrich Ravas, and Thiago Almada converted from the penalty spot to give the hosts a lead at the break. Giakoumakis added to the lead with a hat trick in the second half, scoring from the penalty spot in the 55th minute before tallying again in the 60th and 74th minutes.
Carles Gil pulled one back for the Revolution with his second goal of the season, a curling effort past his former Aston Villa teammate Brad Guzan in the 83rd minute, assisted by Nacho Gil and Homegrown midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević, who made his 25th career MLS appearance one day shy of his 19th birthday. The assist gives Bajraktarević one goal and two assists in his last four appearances. Carles Gil, who signed a multi-year contract extension with the Revolution this week, is now one goal away from becoming the fifth Revolution player to achieve 40 goals and 40 assists in all competitions for the club.
New England will play two more games next week, beginning with Leg 2 of the Round of 16 series against LD Alajuelense in Costa Rica on Thursday, March 14. The 8:00 p.m. kickoff will air nationally on FS2 in English and TUDN in Spanish. Then, on Sunday, March 17, the Revolution return to Gillette Stadium to host the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati in MLS play. The 2:00 p.m. ET kickoff is available to watch free on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen to the Revolution’s local radio calls on 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) or 1260 AM “Nossa Radio USA” in Portuguese.