Revolution Get First Points in MLS Play After 1-1 Draw
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (March 23, 2024) – The New England Revolution (0-4-1; 1 pt.) played to a 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire FC (1-2-2; 5 pts) in a rainswept match on Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. Nacho Gil provided the scoring for New England – his first career MLS goal – heading home a rebound in the dying moments of first-half stoppage time as the two sides shared the spoils on the day.
Chicago opened the scoring in the 20th minute, capitalizing off a Revolution turnover at midfield. Maren Haile-Selassie won the ball for Chicago before jumpstarting a counterattack up the right wing to Fabian Herbers, who fed in a cross to Hugo Cuypers to give the visitors an early lead. Seven minutes later, New England nearly equalized off a corner. Henry Kessler found space near the penalty spot, but looped his volley over the bar.
Nacho Gil evened the proceedings just before the intermission, heading home a rebound off older brother Carles Gil’s shot with the last action of first-half stoppage time. The tally was his second across all competitions this season and his first in MLS league play. Nacho Gil nearly added a second goal in the 69th minute, firing a one-time shot from the top of the penalty area that was deflected into the hands of Chicago goalkeeper Spencer Richey.
Earl Edwards Jr. earned the start in net for New England, his 2024 season debut, replacing Henrich Ravas who is away on international duty with Slovakia. Edwards made one save, denying Georgios Koutsias in the 67th minute. Following a giveaway, Edwards, with help from substitute Ryan Spaulding, forced Koutsias into a narrow angle before getting a hand to the low shot to keep the game tied.
New England is off next weekend before resuming the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup campaign in the Quarterfinal Round, hosting LIGA MX side Club América in Leg 1 on Tuesday, April 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium (FS2, TUDN). The MLS regular season slate then continues on Saturday, April 6, with the Revolution hosting Charlotte FC in Foxborough to close the three-match league homestand. The 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium is available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen to the Revolution’s local radio calls on 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) and on 1260 AM “Nossa Radio USA” in Portuguese.