Revs II Recap: Revolution II Suffer Third-Straight Defeat
Revolution II suffer their third-straight defeat following a loss at home to Eastern Conference frontrunners Philadelphia Union II
Richie Williams and New England Revolution II returned home Saturday evening looking to snap a two-game skid as they welcomed Eastern Conference frontrunners Philadelphia Union II to Mark A. Ouellette Stadium.
Before Revs II took the pitch, a new player joined the ranks as the club announced the signing of defender Giovanni Calderón through the remainder of 2024 with an option for 2025. The 22-year-old joined Revs II following a most recent stint with Ventura County.
While there was an addition, there were also some absences. In the lead-up to the first team’s trip to Seattle, Caleb Porter emphasized how he would call upon some Revolution II players to make the trip with the team. Sources close to Seth Macomber told him standout forward Marcos Dias and Maciel were the ones selected to accompany the first team to Seattle.
J.D. Gunn got the start in goal behind the back line of Mostaba Al-Hasnawi, Tiago Suarez, Giovanni Calderón, and Damario McIntosh. Eric Klein, Olger Escobar, and Patrick Leal started in the midfield behind the attacking trio of Alex Monis, Gevork Diarbian, and Malcolm Fry.
A quickly taken free kick spelled danger for Revolution II in the 13th minute. After the ball was lobbed into Revolution II’s box, McIntosh leaped into the air attempting to clear the ball away from danger. Despite the attempt, things went wrong as the ball deflected off his head and into the back of the net to give Philly an early 1-0 lead.
Philadelphia wasted no time doubling the lead in the 18th minute. After getting a hold of the ball, young phenom Cavan Sullivan darted into the box and evaded the Revs II pressure as he drilled a ball past Gunn and into the net to make it 2-0 Union II.
Union II’s Neil Pierre became the first player to enter the referee’s book as he received a yellow card in the 29th minute after fouling Diarbian. Escobar found himself in the book in the 37th minute as he received a yellow card after fouling Sanders Ngabo from behind.
Diarbian came close to pulling one back for Revs II in first-half stoppage time as he drove up the left flank and turned toward goal. After shaking the defense, Diarbian attempted to slot the ball home, but it was deflected away by a recovering Philadelphia defender.
Fry came close to finding the net in the 47th minute when he got on the ball and drove into the Philly box while evading the pressure. He ripped a shot on target, but it was deflected out for a corner kick.
Thanks to Patrick Leal’s awareness, Revs II found themselves on the board in the 49th minute. After getting onto a loose ball in Union II’s box, Leal slotted the ball home to shrink the deficit to one.
Williams’ first changes came in the 71st minute when Alex Parvu and Joshua Bolma came on to replace Escobar and McIntosh. Another change came in the 87th minute when Andrej Bjelajac came on to replace Diarbian.
Bolma was nearly a hero in the 93rd minute when he got on the end of a cross and nearly sent him the equalizer, but his shot trailed just wide of the net. Despite a hard fight, Revs II were unable to mount a comeback as they suffered their third straight defeat following a 2-1 loss to Philadelphia Union II.
It’s a quick turnaround for Revolution II as they prepare to host Huntsville City FC inside Gillette Stadium on July 10 at 11:00 am ET.