Recap: Revolution II 1 - Red Bulls II 3
Recap: Revolution II 1 - Red Bulls II 3
Revs II wrap up a horrific season on the road with another loss while their winless run extends to a 14th game.
Richie Williams and New England Revolution II hit the road on Sunday when they traveled to MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, New Jersey to face New York Red Bulls II in search of their first win since June 14 while simultaneously looking for their first road win since August 27, 2023.
No changes were made to the starting lineup that secured one point following a 1-1 draw and 5-4 shootout loss to Chattanooga FC. JD Gunn started in net behind the back line of Malcolm Fry, Tiago Suarez, Victor Souza, and Damario McIntosh. Eric Klein, Olger Escobar, and Cristiano Oliveira comprised the midfield behind the attacking trio of Marcos Dias, Alex Monis, and Liam Butts.
Things came crashing down for Revolution II in the 38th minute. After a failed clearance from Suarez that deflected off Mohammed Sofo, Sofo got onto the ball and drove at the Revs II goal before slotting a ball into the lower-right corner to give NYRB II the 1-0 lead.
Miraculously, three great chances from Dias in the 44th minute did not result in the striker notching his 10th goal of the season. After breaking down the left flank, Dias cut centrally and sent a shot right at Stokes. Stokes failed to grasp it as it rebounded into the air. Dias attempted to volley the rebound in, but it was deflected.
Somehow, the deflected shot fell to Dias again. Third time was not the charm for Dias as his third shot deflected off two Red Bull defenders. Thankfully for Revs II, Dias’ deflected shot fell to Butts, who volleyed home the shot to notch his second goal in as many games, his fourth of the 2024 season, and drew Revs II level right before halftime.
Just as it looked like Revs II was flying, things changed just before halftime. Suarez got under a bouncing ball atop the box and attempted to volley it home, but ended up connecting with the head of Copeland Berkley. While Berkley received medical treatment, Suarez received a straight red card.
Revolution II’s struggles continued in the 48th minute when Klein took Ibrahim Kasule down inside the box as the head referee awarded New York a penalty. Kasule stepped to the spot and snuck a ball to the bottom-left corner past a diving Gunn to restore Red Bulls II’s lead.
Their woes furthered in the 56th minute when a ball skipped across the face of goal fell to Tanner Rosborough, who tapped it in to give Red Bulls II a 3-1 lead.
Revolution II’s first changes came in the 74th minute when Joshua Bolma, Maciel, and Gevork Diarbian replaced Escobar, Butts, and Monis. Another change came in the 79th minute when Colby Quiñones replaced McIntosh. Williams’ final change of the evening came in the 89th minute when Patrick Leal replaced Oliveira.
After three minutes of added time, Revolution II’s awful spell of the road came to a close with a deflating 3-1 loss. Sunday’s loss etched Revs II’s name into the MLS NEXT Pro history book as they become the second team in league history to finish a regular season campaign without a win away from home as they end the season with a 0-13-1.
The loss also extends Revolution II’s winless streak to 14 games, which ties the longest single-season winless run, which Vancouver Whitecaps 2 amassed in 2023.
They’ll look to avoid making poor history when they put a bow on the 2024 season on October 6 when they welcome Columbus Crew 2 to Mark A. Ouellette Stadium at 1:00 pm ET.