Revolution U-19s advance to MLS NEXT Cup Quarterfinals
Revolution U-19s advance to MLS NEXT Cup Quarterfinals
Brad Knighton and the U-19s move on following a 1-0 shutout over Strikers FC!
The New England Revolution U-19s returned to MLS NEXT Cup action Monday afternoon as they faced Strikers FC in the Round of 16.
Brad Knighton and the U-19s came into the match on short rest as they advanced to the Round of 16 yesterday following a 4-1 shootout victory against FC Golden State.
Revolution II goalkeeper Max Weinstein was in goal as Steban Betancur, Jack Burkhardt, Garrett Holman, and Alexandru Parvu provided the defense. Brandonn Bueno, Tyler Flowers, and Ezra Widman were in the midfield as Gianluca Armellino, Alex St John, and Jason Zacarias formed the attack.
Weinstein was at the right place at the right time as Strikers FC looked to put a pacy header into the net in the fourth minute, but Weinstein was there and made the save.
Good fortune came the Revolution’s way in the 14th minute as their corner kick slipped out of the hands of the goalkeeper, as the ball fell right to Alex St John. St John easily slotted the ball past the scrambling defenders to give the Revolution a 1-0 lead.
Strikers FC came close to finding an equalizer in the 37th minute as their long-ranged shot from the right flank looked to find the top left corner of the net, yet it had too much on it as it sailed past the goal and out for a goal kick.
Knighton made two changes before the start of the second half as Jack LaBelle and Alexi Karalis came on for Betancur and Holman. Three additional changes came in the 57th minute as Gabriel Chavez, Bryce Flowers, and Marco Dos Santos came on for Widman, St John, and Bueno. Another change came in the 63rd as Felipe Vieira came on for Gianluca Armellino.
Flowers looked to double the Revolution’s lead in the 74th minute as he recovered after slipping inside the box and unleashed a shot on goal. Unfortunately for Flowers, it trailed too far to the left as it ricocheted off the goalpost.
Weinstein came up big for the Revolution when they needed him the most. Strikers FC lobbed a cross into the box in the closing moments. Just as it seemed Strikers FC was getting onto the cross, Weinstein sprung off his line and dove forward to punch the ball out of the box.
It was a good day for the Revolution II keeper as he earned the clean sheet and Player of the Match honors as a 1-0 win over Strikers FC propelled the Revolution U-19s to the MLS NEXT Cup Quarterfinals.
The U-19s will get a well-deserved day of rest tomorrow before facing Players Development Academy on Wednesday, June 21st.