Pablo Morera and his New England Revolution II side returned to action following a three-week break as they welcomed defending MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions Red Bull New York II to Beirne Stadium.
Moreira made a staggering eight changes to the lineup, plus a slight tactical shift as Revs II rolled out a 3-4-3 formation. First teamer JD Gunn got the start in goal behind the back three of a returning Gabe Dahlin, Chris Mbaï-Assem, and Academy prospect Sheridan McNish. A debuting Jared Smith formed the midfield four alongside Allan Oyirwoth, and Academy prospects Logan Azar, who made his professional debut, and Josh Macedo. Makai Wells, Myles Morgan, and Judah Siqueira formed the attacking three.
Gunn came up big in the 15th minute as he used his large frame to leap into the air and grasp a hold of Mijahir Jiménez's header before it spiraled downward toward danger. Smith became the first player to enter the referee’s book as the defender received a yellow card in the 41st minute following his foul on Nate Worth.
Just as it looked as if this game would remain scoreless heading into halftime, Red Bull II flipped the script in the first minute of stoppage time as goalkeeper Tobias Szewczyk booted a bouncing ball downfield. Roald Mitchell evaded the Revs II defense, ran onto the bouncing ball, and caught Gunn off his line as he lobbed it over the keeper and in to give Red Bull New York II the lead heading into the locker room.
All five of New England Revolution II’s changes came before the start of the second half as Jayden Da, Javaun Mussenden, Carlos Zambrano, Schinieder Mimy, and a debuting Shuma Sasaki replaced Morgan, Oyirwoth, Siqueira, Macedo, and Azar.
Momentum swung Revolution II’s way in the 62nd minute as a long ball forward saw Szewczyk misjudge the ball as it bounced off the pitch and made contact with the keeper’s arm outside the box, which resulted in Szewczyk receiving a straight red card as Red Bull New York were down to 10 for the remainder of the match. New England immediately capitalized as Zambrano stood over the ensuing free kick and proceeded to curl the ball over New York’s wall and into the top left corner to level the match at one apiece.
Just as it looked as if this game would end in a draw and head to a penalty shootout, Red Bull New York II flipped the script in stoppage time. It all began in the third minute of stoppage time when Sheridan McNish made light contact with Jiménez just outside the box, which earned McNish a yellow card. Andy Rojas was the one to take the ensuing free kick and converted when he rocketed the ball through Revolution II’s wall and bashed it into the back of the net to give Red Bull II the lead and eventual 2-1 victory over New England.
With the five-game homestand in the rearview mirror, New England turns its attention to its first road contest of the season as it travels to Columbus to face two-time MLS NEXT Pro Cup finalists Crew 2 on April 18th at 3 PM ET.
