Revolution II Secure First Win of 2025 Season
Revs II's win at home marks their first in a 16-game span!
It was a short turnaround for New England Revolution II as Thursday saw them welcome FC Cincinnati 2 to Gillette Stadium four days after securing two points in their season opener.
Thursday saw Richie Williams make two adjustments to the lineup compared to Sunday’s opener. JD Gunn got the start in goal behind the back line of Hesron Barry, Victor Souza, Keegan Hughes, and Damario Mcintosh. Highly touted youth prospect Allan Oyirwoth made his first appearance since joining the Revs in January. The 18-year-old paired in the midfield alongside Alex Monis, Eric Klein, and Gevork Diarbian. Liam Butts and Marcos Dias paired together up top.
The match was a historical one for Marcos Dias, who appeared in his 70th match for Revs II since joining the club ahead of the 2022 season.
A near opportunity came for Revs II in the 5th minute when Monis recovered the ball in Revolution II’s defensive half and darted upfield before dishing the ball to his left to Diarbian. The former Vermont Green FC forward attempted to rocket the shot on frame, but it deflected off a Cincy defender and away from danger.
Oyirwoth nearly scored an incredible goal in the 20th minute after laying in a perfect tackle. The 18-year-old dispossessed a Cincinnati player and quickly lobbed the ball toward goal but hit it a tad too high as it narrowly sailed over the bar.
Dias came close to breaking the deadlock in the 27th minute when Revs II earned a free kick yards outside the box following a handball from Cincinnati. The striker attempted to curl a shot to the upper-right corner of the net, but Nate Crockford extended his reach to deflect the ball away.
Barry entered the book in the 30th minute after committing a foul on Monsuru Opeyemi. Cincinnati’s Dylan Hurtado saw yellow in the 36th minute after fouling Oyirwoth.
Despite efforts from New England and Cincinnati, neither side found an advantage in the opening 45 minutes, as the game remained scoreless at halftime. Williams made one adjustment before the start of the second half as Gabe Dahlin came on to replace Barry. It marked the defender’s Revolution II debut.
The 63rd minute saw Revs II go to the bench again as Damorney Hutchinson and Cristiano Oliveira replaced Liam Butts and Allan Oyirwoth. The match marked Hutchinson’s Revolution II debut.
Revs II made its final changes in the 72nd minute, as Olger Escobar and Joe Buck replaced Diarbian and McIntosh.
After countless attempts, Revolution II found its breakthrough in the 74th minute when Hutchinson found the opening goal. After receiving Monis’ forward pass, Hutchinson pumped on the breaks and sent his defender sliding before smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Thanks to goals from Hutchinson and Dias in a three-minute span, Revolution II secured a 2-0 shutout victory. It marks their first win of the new season and their first since June 14, 2024.
Revs II will have an extended break now, as they won't return to action until they host Toronto FC II on March 28.