Former Revolution Wingers Square Off in Crazy Gold Cup Quarterfinal
Olger Escobar’s Guatemala pulled off a dramatic upset over Tajon Buchanan’s Canada in penalties on Sunday as the two former New Englanders reunited.
Sunday’s Gold Cup quarterfinal was nothing short of pure cinema.
Canada came in as the clear favorites and scored an early penalty to take the lead but after Jacob Shaffelburg was sent off right before the half, things changed drastically and the momentum began to swing in favor of Los Chapines. After a 69th-minute equalizer for the Guatemalans to make it a 1-1 ballgame, the game needed penalties to decide a winner. Ultimately, it was Guatemala’s Jose Morales who buried the winning penalty, finalizing what was an incredible upset.
Among the storylines, New Englanders should be most intrigued by is their formerly beloved wingers, Tajon Buchanan and Olger Escobar, taking the field against each other. The two players have endured very different career paths, and their respective countries are on different ends of the CONCACAF power rankings.
But one thing the players have in common: the New England Revolution.
Canada’s Starboy
Tajon Buchanan’s footballing career has brought him everywhere from Syracuse, New York to Milan, Italy. Born in Brampton, Canada, Buchanan shined at Syracuse University. His success in the realm of Division 1 soccer made him the 9th overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft to none other than the New England Revolution.
It was in New England that Buchanan first explored his true potential. Buchanan solidified his identity as a dynamic winger, demonstrating electric pace and skill on the ball. In 67 total appearances for the club, Buchanan notched 12 goals and 11 assists. His contributions made him somewhat of a fan favorite and helped the team along their legendary run to the 2021 Supporters’ Shield.
By the end of the 2021 season, Buchanan’s talent had earned him a well-deserved move to Europe. The Canadian winger was picked up by Belgium’s Club Brugge on a $7 million move. 2 seasons later, Buchanan was signed by Italian giants Inter Milan, who loaned him out to his current destination, Villarreal of La Liga.
After making his first cap for the Canucks in June of 2021, Buchanan quickly became a national team star. Along with elite striker Jonathan David, Buchanan has become one of the top consistent performers for the Canadian attack.
This Gold Cup, Buchanan has been on fire. He started the tournament with a brace in Canada’s 6-0 victory over Honduras. After being rotated out of the starting lineup for rest in Canada’s second match against Curaçao, Buchanan returned to action with a thumping finish against a nine-man El Salvador, securing three points for his nation.
Sunday’s affair was extremely underwhelming for the Canadian winger, as he struggled to have any real impact on the game. His best chance of the day came early in the first half, when he received a crossed ball inside the box with space to shoot. Buchanan went for too much power, and the shot sailed high over the bar.
Right before the half, Buchanan appeared to pick up some kind of groin issue. After initially limping it off and coming back out for the second half, it was clear that Canada’s star boy was just not the same. Jesse Marsch picked up on the hint and subbed him off in 58th minute for Daniel Jebbison. It was a tough way for the 26-year-old’s summer campaign to come to an end.
Guatemala’s Rising Star
Olger Escobar hasn’t reached Tajon Buchanan’s level of stardom quite yet. But his potential was clearly on display in Sunday’s match and it could be only a matter of time before he truly breaks through.
Escobar came up through the New England Revolution’s youth academy, joining back in 2018. In the 2022-23 season, we first got a glimpse of his talent when he scored 15 goals on the Revs’ U-17 MLS Next team and became the first Revs player to win U-17 MLS Next MVP. Escobar was named the Revolution’s Academy Player of the Year, and it seemed like the first team could be calling his name soon.
Unfortunately, Escobar’s first team breakthrough never came with the Revolution. In the spring of 2023, Escobar made his professional debut for New England Revolution II. Over three seasons with the team, Escobar had one goal and one assist in 34 appearances.
This past April, Escobar was transferred out by the Revolution after his long stint with the academy and the second team. Ironically, Escobar was dealt to CF Montreal inside Canada, the country whom he defeated on Sunday.
Escobar’s time with Guatemala has probably been the highlight of his career up to this point. At just seventeen years of age, Escobar made his senior international debut for his country in a friendly against Jamaica. Two years later, he scored his first senior international goal, a game-winner against Honduras.
So far through this Gold Cup, Escobar has been an important part of the Guatemalan squad. After bringing attacking flair and energy off the bench as a substitute in both of Guatemala’s first two group stage matches, Escobar earned a start in their all-important third group stage match against Guadeloupe. Guatemala’s manager Luis Tena would not regret his decision, as Escobar would go on to score in the 29th minute of the game, propelling his side to a 3-2 victory that secured their spot in the quarterfinals against Canada. After such an impressive performance, Escobar earned himself yet another start in Sundays quarterfinal.
Against Canada on Sunday, Escobar was a notable bright spot. The young winger used his skill and tricky maneuvers to cause serious problems for the Canadian defense. He won several free kicks in dangerous areas for his team and created chances with his clever wing play. After playing a big role in Guatemala’s attacking surge that earned them a goal following the Canadian red card, Escobar was subbed off in the 71st minute and applauded for yet another impressive performance.
For Buchanan, the race to capture the Gold Cup is over, in similarly disappointing fashion to how his top-seeded New England Revolution crashed out of the 2021 MLS Playoffs in penalties to New York City. But for Escobar, his search for a first-ever professional trophy is only beginning, as he carries his good form into the semifinals against an undefeated United States side on Wednesday.