Jack Panayotou on The Soccer Show: “I’m always happy to help the team get a win”
Last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Mazatlán F.C. in Leagues Cup 2024 was a dream come true for New England Revolution midfielder Jack Panayotou. A 20-year-old Homegrown Player from Cambridge, Mass., Panayotou entered last weekend’s match as a substitute in the second half and wasted no time making an impact.
In the 69th minute, Panayotou, in the right place at the right time, picked up a deflected cross inside the box and tapped it into the back of the net for his first goal in a Revolution uniform. Making the tally all the more crucial, it was the game-winner that helped give New England the start it was looking for in Group Stage play of Leagues Cup 2024.
“It came at a good time,” Panayotou said on The Soccer Show with host D.J. Bean this morning. “I’m always happy to help the team get a win and it felt really good. I’m not going to lie, it felt great. I’ve been watching the video a few times. It might not be the best goal in the world, but I’m still happy to score.”
After a few days off, Panayotou and the Revolution returned to Foxborough and resumed training on Friday to prepare for their next Leagues Cup opponent, Nashville SC. New England will host “the Boys in Gold” next Tuesday night for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Gillette Stadium.
A win or a draw in next Tuesday’s match guarantees a spot in the knockout-style Round of 32 for New England.
“It feels really nice to see one go in and to get a win, and I think we’re going to take that momentum into Nashville,” Panayotou said. “It’s a game we basically have to win or get a point at least. But we always want to win the game and hopefully get that top spot in the group.”
Panayotou and the Revolution aren’t taking the break from league play lightly. Instead, they’re looking at Leagues Cup as an opportunity to continue progressing and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season, where New England will look to battle to claw its way into the postseason.
“We’re competitive players and we’re a competitive team,” Panayotou said. “We always want to win the games. Hopefully everyone stays healthy. The MLS season is still very much on our minds as well. We want to take the momentum from this tournament and hopefully bring it into those last 11 games and win as many as we can.”
Next Tuesday’s match airs on FS1 and is free to watch on the Apple TV app. Listen to the club’s local radio call here on 98.5 The Sports Hub with Brad Feldman and Clyde Simms calling the match.
