Revolution II's 2023 Campaign Comes to Heartbreaking End

Revolution II's incredible 2023 campaign comes to a heartbreaking end.

Photo By John McGloughlin

New England Revolution II returned to playoff action Saturday evening as they hosted third-seed Columbus Crew 2 inside Gillette Stadium.

Revolution II came into the Eastern Conference Final after securing a 3-2 victory over Union II in their first-ever playoff game, followed by a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls II in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Inaugural and reigning MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions Crew 2 path to the Eastern Conference Finals started with a 2-1 win over Orlando City B, followed by a 1-0 upset victory over stalwarts Crown Legacy.

There were three changes in the lineup as Nico Campuzano made his first start since August 27th. Colby Quiñones, Pierre Cayet, Victor Souza, and Tiago Souza provided the defense. Jake Rozhansky, Peyton Miller, Maciel, Patrick Leal, and Malcolm Fry were in the midfield as Jordan Adebayo-Smith was the lone striker.

Crew 2 nearly got on the score sheet in the 42nd minute as Noah Fuson found himself uncovered atop the box. Fuson sent a ball forward to Mateo Bunbury right of the net and Campuzano attempted to stretch out and grasp the ball but came up short. Bunbury got onto the ball and looked to slot the ball home but sent the shot wide.

There was one change at halftime as Noble Okello came on to replace Maciel. Okello came close to finding the back of the net in the 53rd minute as he leaped into the air and attempted to head Rozhansky’s free-kick into the net. Unfortunately, Okello’s header lacked accuracy as it trailed right of the net.

Adebayo-Smith nearly found the back of the net in the 60th minute as Revs II generated a counterattack opportunity. The striker found himself one-on-one with the keeper, but Stanislav Lapkes was alert as he made the save.

Olger Escobar came into the match in the 75th minute as he came on to replace Tiago Suarez. Another change came in the 83rd minute as Brandonn Bueno came on for Patrick Leal.

Just when it looked like the game would finish in a 0-0 deadlock, a spurt of rapid-fire passes led to Marco Micaletto tapping a ball forward to Gibran Rayo, who slotted a right-footed shot past Campuzano and into the net to give Crew 2 a 1-0 lead in stoppage time.

After a tremendous regular season that saw them set numerous club records while making their first-ever playoff, Revolution II’s 2023 season has come to a crushing end.