TORONTO (April 19, 2024) – New England Revolution II (1-3-1; 5 pts.) battled Toronto FC II (1-2-1; 4 pts.) to a 1-1 draw on Friday night at York Lions Stadium, securing the additional point with a 5-4 shootout victory. Forward Marcos Dias tallied his second goal of the season to match Revolution II’s all-time scoring record of 17 while goalkeeper JD Gunn made four saves in his professional debut.
Toronto found the scoresheet early with Julian Altobelli tallying in the seventh minute. New England registered two shots on net in the opening 45 minutes and found the equalizer in first-half stoppage time. Maciel sent the ball up the right side of the field where Alex Monis chipped it past Toronto’s goalkeeper. Dias received Monis’ pass and sailed the ball into the back of the net from the top of the 18-yard box to send both teams into the locker room level at 1-1.
The match remained level through the second half, sending both teams into their first shootout of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. Dias, Joshua Bolma, Victor Souza, Luka Borovic, and Alex Parvu all converted on their attempts, while Gunn made one save and forced two misses to secure Revolution II their first shootout victory of the year.
Parvu entered the match off the bench in the 81st minute to become the 32nd Revolution Academy product to make his professional debut with New England’s second team. The Cumberland, R.I. native substituted in for fellow Academy defender Eric Klein, who made his first professional start on Friday night.
Revolution II is set to host Inter Miami II on Sunday, April 28 to mark the team’s home opener at Mark A. Ouellette Stadium in Manchester, N.H. The 3 p.m. ET kickoff streams live on MLSNEXTPro.com, with James Hadnot on the call.
New England Revolution II 1 (5), Toronto FC II 1 (4)
April 19, 2024 – York Lions Stadium (Toronto, Ontario)
- Marcos Dias tallied his second goal of the season to equalize in first-half stoppage time. Dias now owns 17 goals scored for Revolution II, matching the program’s all-time scoring record.
- Alex Monis recorded his first assist of the season on Dias’ goal.
- New England improved their record vs. Toronto to 4-3-4 dating back to the 2021 USL League One season.
- Dias, Joshua Bolma, Victor Souza, Luka Borovic, and Alex Parvu all tallied in the shootout.
- JD Gunn made four saves in his professional debut with Revolution II, adding on an additional save in the shootout.
- U-19 Revolution Academy defender Eric Klein logged 81 minutes in his first professional start.
- Alex Parvu entered the match in the 81st minute to mark his professional debut.
- Tonight’s roster featured nine Revolution Academy products with Klein, Gevork Diarbian, and Jack Panayotou earning starts and Brandonn Bueno, Olger Escobar, Steban Lopera, Alex Parvu, Colby Quiñones, and Max Weinstein appearing on the bench.
GAME CAPSULE
Referee: Robert D’Alesio
Assistant Referees: Peter Pendli, Camille Raymond
Fourth Official: Melvin Christopher
Weather: 51 and sunny
Scoring Summary:TOR – Julian Altobelli (Jesus Batiz) 7’
NE – Marcos Dias 2 (Alex Monis 1) 45’+1
Misconduct Summary:TOR – Charlie Staniland (Yellow Card) 2’
NE – Hesron Barry (Yellow Card) 24’
TOR – Nathaniel Edwards (Yellow Card) 39’
New England Revolution II: JD Gunn; Hesron Barry, Tiago Suarez, Victor Souza, Eric Klein (Alex Parvu 81’); Maciel, Patrick Leal (Luka Borovic 74’); Gevork Diarbian (Joshua Bolma 66’), Jack Panayotou, Alex Monis (Olger Escobar 74’); Marcos Dias.
Substitutes Not Used: Andrej Bjelajac, Brandonn Bueno, Steban Lopera, Colby Quiñones, Max Weinstein.
Toronto FC II: Adisa De Rosario; Adam Pearlman, Ythallo Rodrigues De Olivera, Marko Stojadinovic; Jesus Batiz (Antony Curic 84’), Markus Cimermancic, Charlie Staniland (Lucas Olguin 63’), Nathaniel Edwards (Theo Rigopoulos 63’); Julian Altobelli (Hassan Ayari 68’), Dekwon Barrow (Matthew Catalovo 84’), Mark Fisher.
Substitutes Not Used: Lazar Stefanovic, Tristan Pusztahegyi, Philip Igbinobaro, Shafique Wilson.
