New England Weekly Review: April 2, 2024
Looking back at the kids' performances this weekend and a big USL Championship reality check.
Six game-weeks into the MLS season, the New England Revolution were off the pitch as they had a bye week. However, the Revs II and the USL Championship teams took the field on Easter weekend.
The Revs returned to action Tuesday night when they lost 4-0 to Club América in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals.
This week will also see Vermont Green FC play in the second round of the US Open Cup against Carolina Core FC, the team Revs II faced off against this weekend.
In their home-opener, Revs II scored twice to get its first win of the season. Malcolm Fry and Jack Panayotou linked up on both goals as they brushed aside Carolina Core FC 2-1.
Both of New England’s USL Championship sides took their first losses of the season.
Hartford Athletic fell short of an equalizer in an away game against North Carolina FC, losing 2-1.
Rhode Island FC took its first loss in the club’s history against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Rowdies gave Rhode Island a reality check as Rhode Island continue their search for the club’s first-ever win.
From these games here are some points that stood out:
Panayotou Leads the Way
In case anyone has forgotten, Jack Panayotou is still one of the Revs’ most exciting talents. His performance for Revs II this weekend reminded any doubters of just how good he can be.
The 19-year-old midfielder from Cambridge, Massachusetts, ran the show against Carolina Core FC as he contributed in both of the goals.
Less than two minutes into the game, Panayotou found himself standing over a corner-kick. He whipped a ball with his left foot towards the edge of the six-yard box where Malcolm Fry headed it into the back of the net.
In the 58th minute, with the score leveled 1-1, Marcos Dias slid a through ball into Fry’s way. His shot deflected off a defender before Fry slid onto the ground to cut the ball back. Panayotou followed through and caught the ball in-step to place it into an open goal.
With an assist from a corner-kick and a tap-in goal, the games highlights don’t do justice to the skill Panayotou displayed. All game long, Panayotou seemed to be gliding over the turf as he completed all three of his dribble attempts and played 10 passes into the final third. He showcased a great range of passing and his ability to dictate the tempo of play.
In the last year, players like Noel Buck and Esmir Bajrakterevic have solidified their places on the first team roster after coming through the Revolution’s academy system. Bruce Arena seemed to see promise in Panayotou as he played him in 13 games, but Panayotou has only played two minutes for the first team since Arena left.
Panayotou appears to play best as an attacking midfielder and with Carles Gil in that position, there is no rush to force him onto the first team. However, if this game was an example of what is to come, Panayotou could find himself in Caleb Porter’s plans this year.
Rhode Island Native Damian Rivera Scores Against RIFC
As Rhode Island FC took their first loss in the club’s history, they also found themselves on the receiving end of Damian Rivera’s first goal this season.
The 21-year-old winger is currently on-loan at the Tampa Bay Rowdies from the Revolution. Having started both of the Rowdies’ games earlier this season, he started on the bench against Rhode Island.
Rivera was subbed in 82nd minute to play on the right wing. With 11 minutes of stoppage time added and the game at 3-1, Rivera ran onto a misplaced header and tucked the ball past Jackson Lee after putting it on his right foot.
Rivera then jogged off to the corner before doing Stephen Curry’s “night, night” celebration as the Rowdies fourth goal went up on the scoreboard.
Rivera’s first goal of the season is a huge step forward following two mediocre games as a starter. Rivera is expected to play a big role for the Rowdies after being on the fringes of the Revs squad for the last two seasons.
Having never been a member of Rhode Island FC, Rivera’s celebration won’t earn him criticism. On the other hand, it is a good sign to see him find his swagger in the USL Championship.
It would be great news for the Revs if Rivera plays well in the USL Championship. As the winger positions for the Revs are quite loaded, Rivera’s best chance is to get into the first team next year.
Hartford Athletic Find Another Way to Score
After I highlighted their aggressive press and verticality as a great way to create chances, Hartford lost 1-2 against North Carolina FC in a very even match.
While they scored from a penalty in their first game and from a turnover in their second game, their lone goal against came North Carolina FC showed Hartford’s danger from free-kicks.
In the 72nd minute, defensive midfielder Jay Chapman swung in a free kick from the left side of the North Carolina box. As the ball dipped and curled into the box, three Hartford Athletic players barely missed the chance to tap the ball into the goal. However, all of the North Carolina players also missed their chance to make a clearance and the ball ended in the back of the net.
The Blue and Green put on another display of their high-intensity, heavy-pressing brand of soccer. The only difference from the last two games was that they paid the price for their poor finishing.
Hartford took 14 shots and only put four on target — including Chapman’s cross that ended up in the back of the goal.
This weekend, Hartford Athletic return to home action as they play a struggling Miami FC on Saturday at 2 p.m.