Revs II Recap: Revolution II 0 - Chattanooga FC 1

Solid first 45 uprooted by an ejection and late Chattanooga goal.

Photo Courtesy of New England Revolution

New England Revolution II returned to action Saturday night when they traveled to Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as they squared off against MLS NEXT Pro newcomer Chattanooga Football Club.

Richie Williams had some noticeable absences heading into Saturday as the broadcast stated forward Marcos Dias was out due to injury while Olger Escobar, Jamie Kabuusu, Alez Monis, and Colby Quiñones were all on international duty.

Max Weinstein started in goal behind the back line of Hesron Barry, Tiago Suarez, Victor Souza, and Damario McIntosh. Maciel, Patrick Leal, and Eric Klein comprised the midfield behind the attacking trio of Gevork Diarbian, Andrej Bjelajac, and Malcolm Fry.

Despite some good chances for both sides, no goals were scored in the first 45 minutes. Gevork Diarbian nearly got Revs II on the board in the 47th minute when he rocketed a shot at goal but Jean Antoine was there to deflect the ball away from danger.

Two changes came in the 56th minute as Liam Butts and Braedon Smith entered to replace Bjelajac and Fry. Saturday’s appearance marked Smith’s professional debut. Tiago Suarez also entered the referee’s book in the 62nd minute after receiving a yellow card for fouling Mehdi Ouamri.

There was a golden opportunity for Revs II when Gevork Diarbian got on the end of a ball lobbed upfield. Diarbian drove at the left side of the net and attempted to slot the ball into the upper-right corner, but Chattanooga’s defense stepped up and deflected the shot out. Another near chance for Revs II came in the 69th when Diarbian got on top of a through ball sent up the middle. He unselfishly tried to play a ball across the face of goal to Liam Butts, but it ended up costing Revs II the chance as Chattanooga cleared it away.

The course of the game changed in the 73rd minute when Suarez was sent off after receiving his second yellow of the match following a foul on Alex McGrath. 

Another two changes came in the 75th minute when Luka Borovic and Moshtaba Al-Hasnawi replaced Diarbian and Leal.

The numbers game caught up to Revs II in the 80th when Jude Arthur headed the free kick to Mehdi Ouamri, who proceeded to put an overhead kick past Weinstein and into the net to give Chattanooga a late 1-0 lead.

A near opportunity came in the 88th minute when Damario McIntosh sliced and diced through the Chattanooga back line before taking a shot. Unfortunately, it was directed right at Jean Antoine as Chattanooga’s lead remained.

Despite a tremendous opening 45 minutes, an ejection and late goal did Revs II in as Chattanooga held out to secure the 1-0 victory at home. Following the loss, Revs II find themselves in 12th place in the East with 13 points on a 3-7-2 record with two shootout victories.

Richie Williams and Revs II will look to get back in the win column as they return to Mark A. Ouellette Stadium on June 6th as they host Columbus Crew 2 at 6:00 PM ET.