NOTE: This story was written based on an EA SPORTS FIFA 20 simulation of the New England Revolution vs. New York City FC match originally scheduled for Saturday, May 2. It includes made-up quotes, and recounts events that occurred exclusively in FIFA 20. You can watch the full highlights HERE.
FAKESBOROUGH, Mass. – Teal Bunbury came off the bench to score a dramatic late equalizer in the New England Revolution’s 1-1 draw with New York City FC on Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, as simulated by EA SPORTS FIFA 20.
Bunbury, who replaced Adam Buksa in the 54th minute, made the long-awaited breakthrough for the Revolution 30 minutes later, blasting a first-time effort inside NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson’s near post after being teed up by Gustavo Bou.
“Whenever you come on as a substitute, your objective is to bring energy and impact the game,” Bunbury probably would’ve said after his heroics. “The energy part is easy because it’s FIFA, so you just mash the sprint button. That usually does it. Then I was happy to make an impact with the goal.”
Bunbury’s equalizer was no more than the Revolution deserved after they bombarded Johnson’s net throughout much of the match. The NYCFC goalkeeper made three massive saves inside the game’s first four minutes, before Buksa hit the woodwork in both the sixth and 17th minutes.
Johnson then made another tremendous stop on Buksa in the 31st minute, snapping the Polish striker’s streak of goals in four straight matches.
“When you’re 30 minutes into the game and the keeper has made two huge saves on you and you’ve hit the post twice, you start to get the feeling it might not be your night,” Buksa must’ve been thinking. “That’s FIFA. I’m glad Teal found that late goal, because otherwise we might’ve seen some broken controllers.”
After the Revolution’s early onslaught was turned away, NYCFC predictably took the lead in the 38th minute through an absurd goal from Alexandru Mitriță, who saw his slow-rolling shot from a tight angle sneak between the legs of both Andrew Farrell and Matt Turner.
“We call that the old FIFA special,” Turner likely would’ve said. “If the other goalkeeper makes a series of incredible saves in the early stages, you know you’re going to give up a fluky goal right before halftime. At that point you just have to grin and bear it.”
Turner, however, was sharp throughout the rest of the match, making a trio of stellar stops to keep the Revolution within striking distance before Bunbury’s late heroics.
Having taken four points from their three-game week the Revs will now have a full week to prepare for next weekend’s visit to FC Cincinnati, which sets up as their first virtual rematch following a 3-1 win over FCC back on April 11.
“Maybe we’ll get some more late heroics in Cincinnati,” said the Revs’ full roster. “You know who the real heroes are, though? The healthcare workers on the frontlines. That’s who we’re cheering for.”
