Recap: Revs II Defeat Atlanta United 2
Recap: Revs II Defeat Atlanta United 2
Another five goal performance from New England helped defeat Atlanta at home.
New England Revolution II returned to Gillette Stadium on Sunday night to take on Atlanta United 2, looking for their record 12th win of the season as they continue to close the gap with conference-leading Crown Legacy FC.
The Revs made a total of five changes to the starting line-up from their game against Orlando City B, with Damian Rivera, Tommy McNamara, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Malcolm Fry all making the eleven while new first-team signing Tomás Chancalay officially made his New England debut.
Rivera put the Revs on the board early with a goal in the 8th minute, receiving a pass across the top of Atlanta’s box from Bajraktarevic that he was able to slot past the keeper.
Atlanta had an opportunity to equalize in the 14th minute on a through ball into New England’s box but thanks to Jackson’s quick reaction he was able to beat the attacker to the ball and snuff out the danger.
Chancalay was forced out of the match in the 21st minute after being injured in the build-up to Rivera’s goal, hobbling off the field as he was replaced by Jordan Adebayo-Smith. Thanks to an update from Jeff Lemieux, we know that Chancalay’s injury was a thigh contusion and is not expected to be serious.
The tying goal came in the 20th minute via Jackson Conway, who was able to beat Jackson with a well-placed shot into the bottom right corner of the net.
New England started the second half with a substitution that saw Peyton Miller enter the match for Colby Quiñónes.
Adebayo-Smith put the hosts back ahead in the 67th minute with a relentless effort, playing a quick give-and-go with McNamara and having his initial shot denied by the keeper before burying the ball into Atlanta’s net with a powerful header.
Another pair of substitutions were made for the Revs in the 68th minute as ítalo and Noble Okello replaced Malcolm Fry and Jake Rozhansky.
Bajraktarevic added to New England’s lead in the 81st minute, his sixth goal of the season coming after the winger pounced on a loose ball in the middle of Atlanta’s box and put it in the net with the one-time shot.
New England made their fourth change of the game in the 83rd minute as Patrick Leal entered the match for the goal scorer Bajrakarevic.
A brace from Adebayo-Smith in extra time extended the Revs lead, his 12th goal of the season putting him just one goal behind league Golden-Boot leader Nick Firmino.
With the very last kick of the match Okello scored New England’s fifth goal of the night, scoring off of Leal’s corner with a close-range shot right to the center of Atlanta’s net.
Marcelo Santos earned his second win as interim coach for Revs II with the team remaining comfortably in second in the East as they continue to close the gap with Crown Legacy FC, trailing by just four points thanks to tonight’s win.
New England are back on the road to face Toronto FC II on Friday, August 18th at 7:00 PM, and you can catch all of the action on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.