Tonight the New England Revolution take on the Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium in an MLS regular season match. Here is our match preview which sets the table for tonight’s match.
What: MLS Regular Season Match
Who: New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union
Where: Gillette Stadium
When: Thursday August 20th 7:30 p.m. ET
How: NBC Sports Boston and 98.5 The Sports Hub
I will be liveblogging the match below with the Starting XI, key events, and insights. Follow along here or on Twitter @TannerRebelo. I will be on-site at Gillette Stadium bringing some
Pre-Match Notes:
A few musings on the differences to Gillette Stadium. For starters a quick self evaluation and temperature check greets those entering at the door followed by walking up the ramps or waiting for a socially distanced elevator. With fans not allowed to attend matches at Gillette Stadium the Revs have put supporters flags in The Fort on both the Midnight Riders and Rebellion seats.
In the press side of things, no one is allowed on the field per MLS regulations which means photographers are shooting from the 100 level and in the press box everyone is spaced out with plexiglass shields installed around workstations.
Following the match all post-match interviews will be conducted via Zoom which follows what was being conducted during the MLS is Back tournament. It is certainly a different stadium at the moment but it is what is needed.
Revs Starting XI: Matt Turner, Andrew Farrell, Henry Kessler, Brandon Bye, Gustavo Bou, Matthew Polster, Teal Bunbury, Kelyn Rowe, Cristian Penilla, Adam Buksa
Revs Bench: Scott Caldwell, Justin Rennicks, Michael Mancienne, Diego Fagundez, Seth Sinovic, Tajon Buchanan, Brad Knighton, DeJuan Jones, Jeff Caldwell
The big news here is the first Revolution start for midfielder Matthew Polster. Also nice to see Henry Kessler getting the start alongside Andrew Farrell at center-back. This is the 275th MLS appearance for Teal Bunbury, Andrew Farrell 221st start which now ranks 4th all-time passing Chris Tierney’s 220, and in the 19th minute Cristian Penilla will hit 5k minutes played in his MLS career. A night of milestones.
Interesting that the Revolution have three goalkeepers listed on the match-day roster, same as they did during the MLS is Back Tournament. Also, Antonio Delamea who was not listed on the team’s injury report is not available for this match.
Union Starting XI: Andre Blake, Jack Elliot, Mark McKenzie, Rayman Gaddis, Matthew Real, Jose Martinez, Jamiro Monteiro, Alejandro Bedoya, Brenden Aaronson, Sergio Santos, Kacper Przybylko
Union bench: Warren Creavalle, Jakob Glesnes, Andrew Wooten, Joe Bendik, Cole Turner, Jack De Vries, Oliver Mbaizo, Anthony Fontana, Ilson Jr.
First Half notes:
1″ We are off at Gillette Stadium
3′ It is very very quiet in here, you can here a pin drop. So odd, words cannot describe how odd it feels.
9″ Gustavo Bou gets the first shot off on goal for the Revs. Good first touch, right at Blake unfortunately. Revs with the better chances thus far.
12′ Not sure if this was mentioned before but Bruce Arena is serving a one-game red card suspension. Ritchie Williams has the helm
15′ Revolution still having the better chances but still cannot convert. Finishing touch continues to allude them.
20′ Creative little flick in from Bou to Penilla but the ball was too close to Blake who scooped it up with ease.
25′ Yellow card handed out to Gustavo Bou
28′ Buttner hits Buksa who hits Penilla, inside to Bou too close to Blake. Starting to see Philly have some success at creating chances in the home third.
39′ Andre Blake is a very good goalkeeper. Smart positionally and has handled the first 40 minutes with ease. Tough one to beat for the Revs who can’t buy a goal right now.
HT: 0-0 heading into the half, New England had far more chances and all of which were better than Philly. Still can’t buy a goal.
Revolution were slightly out-possessed 47.9% to 52.1% but had six chances created to Philly’s three. Bou had three of New England’s chances. Alexander Buttner led the Revs in touches with 48 and Matthew Polster led the team in passes with 24. Polster in the first half of his Revs career completed 91.7% of his passes and had 29 total touches. In net Matt Turner made two saves. No off-sides for the Revs and the Union had only one off-sides call.
Second Half
46′ We are back underway here at Gillette
63′ Philly the better team thus far in the second half. Matt Turner putting the Revs on his back a bit here.
64′ Tajon Buchanan on for Teal Bunbury, DeJuan Jones on for Brandon Bye
75′ Diego Fagundez on for Penilla
80′ Ten minutes to go in regulation, no goals yet. Bou had a dangerous ball across the mouth of goal but no one there to send it home.
FT: 0-0 draw, Revolution move to 1-1-4 on the season
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