Carles Gil Owes 17-Year-Old Cristiano Oliveira A Steak
“I shook his hand and we bet that if I scored, he would buy me a steak."
Cristiano Oliveira and Josh Macedo of the New England Revolution helped guide the East MLS NEXT All-Star Team to a 4-3 win over the West on Monday night.
Oliveira started in the midfield, setting the tempo with calm passing. His best moment came just before halftime when he took down a free kick and scored an equalizer.
The goal continues a trend, as he just scored in consecutive Revolution II matches.
“Super happy that I scored and that I continue my streak,” Oliveira said. “I think the biggest thing going into this game was just showcasing myself, doing well, and playing for the team.”
Macedo played right back during the second 45 and made a big sliding tackle in the game’s final moments. The California native came to the Revs as a striker, but has settled in as a defender.
“[The Revs coaches] saw that I was able to drop back, make tackles, so they changed me to right back a year and two months ago,” Macedo said. “Ever since then, it’s been an amazing experience. I’ve been able to compete at a high level.”
Many former and current MLS players were in attendance to watch the best young, domestic talent compete on the field, including Carles Gil.
Oliveira and Macedo both said it meant a lot that a former MLS MVP—and someone they look up to—came out to watch the game.
Macedo called Gil “the best Revs player,” adding that he’s like “another Messi.”
Oliveira admitted that he wondered what Gil’s reaction was to his goal, perhaps because the two parties had a bet.
“I kind of did it as a joke,” Oliveira said. “I shook his hand and we bet that if I scored, he would buy me a steak. So we’ll see. We’ll see if he can get that here tomorrow or Thursday.”
Oliveria and Macedo both said it was special to go to Austin to play in the showcase event. At 17 and 16 years old, respectively, they still have a lot to learn, but this moment serves as a reward for all that they’ve sacrificed.
“When I first came here, honestly, I didn’t know how to do a lot of things,” Macedo said. “[The players here] just taught me everything I know, practicing with me every day.”
Oliveira, a Massachusetts native, said that his drive to succeed is at least partially inspired by his parents.
“Just seeing my mom and dad, because they clean houses, it’s motivating because they leave early in the morning and they come back late, just in time for us to go to church at night,” Oliveira said. “If anything, it gives me more motivation, more inspiration, seeing how hard they work. I need to work even harder to achieve my dreams.
“They give me everything. They are an example. I am super grateful for them.”