Revs II Recap: Revolution II 1 (4) - TFC II 1 (2)

Revolution II returned to Gillette looking to get back to their winning ways against Toronto FC II.

Photo Courtesy of New England Revolution

Revolution II returned home to Gillette Stadium on Friday night to take on Toronto FC II, looking to bounce back from their loss against FC Cincinnati 2.

The Revs made a total of four changes to the starting eleven, seeing Jacob Jackson, Ben Awashie, Malcolm Fry, and Jordan Adebayo-Smith making their way into the evening’s lineup.

In the sixth minute, Adebayo-Smith had an early opportunity to put the hosts on the board, finding himself in a two versus one situation in Toronto’s box but the keeper was able to deflect the shot out and away.  

In the 20^th minute it looked as though Toronto were guaranteed a penalty after Jackson took down the opposing attacker just inside the box, but fortunately the Revs were saved by an offside call from the officials.

The breakthrough finally came in the 37^th minute as Adebayo-Smith bagged his seventh goal of the season. Controlling the ball in the box, Adebayo-Smith slotted his shot low to the near post, with Toronto’s keeper bobbling the ball before it found the back of the net. It looked as though Revs II would double their lead immediately, but Fry’s shot trickled across the box and out for a Toronto goal kick.

Despite trailing, Toronto came out strong to start the second half. In just the first minute of the second half, it looked as though they had scored their equalizer, but New England once again found themselves bailed out thanks to an offside call.

Julian Altobelli finally put Toronto on the board in the 61^st minute as Toronto continued to apply relentless pressure. Just a few minutes later Jackson was forced to make a difficult save, pushing the ball just above the crossbar to keep things level.

The Revs made their first changes of the game in the 62^nd minute with Jacob Akanyirige and Weverton entering the match, replacing Ítalo and Tiago Suárez respectively. The second and third set of substitutions came in the 80^th and 83^rd minutes, with NaKye Greenidge-Duncan coming in for Malcolm Fry and Nico Campuzano replacing Weverton.  The goalkeeper came onto the field to replace the Brazilian striker who suffered an injury on the pitch.

Revs II came close to finding the game-winner in the closing moments of regulation, but a moment of chaos in Toronto’s box allowed the keeper to make an easy save just before the referee’s whistle ensuring both sides would walk away from the match with at least one point.

Greenidge-Duncan put the game away for Revs II and secured them a second point after getting a second chance from the spot thanks to Toronto’s keeper coming off his line. His shot was well placed and hit with pace, sailing into the upper left corner giving the keeper little chance to make the save.

With Friday’s result Revolution II moves into second place in the East, just two points behind Crown Legacy FC with a total of thirty on the season. With eight games left in the season, New England has already passed their total for goals scored from 2022 with a league-best 33 goals.

Revs II will play their next game on July 2^nd, as they hit the road to take on Huntsville City FC at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST.