FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (February 29, 2024) – The New England Revolution defeated CA Independiente, 3-0, on Thursday night in Leg 2 of Round One of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup at Gillette Stadium. Nacho Gil and Mark-Anthony Kaye both tallied their first goals with the Revolution, while Tomás Chancalay recorded his second of the tournament to help secure a 4-0 aggregate victory over the two matches.
The Revolution move on to the Round of 16 in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup as the squad now prepares to face off against Costa Rican side LD Alajuelense on Wednesday, March 6 in Leg 1. The 6:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium will air nationally on FOX Sports 2 in English and TUDN in Spanish.
Nacho Gil gave New England an early 1-0 lead in the ninth minute, scoring on a touch pass from older brother Carles Gil for his first goal in a Revolution uniform. The assist was the third helper across four career Concacaf Champions Cup appearances for Carles Gil.
The Revolution extended their lead in the 58th minute, when Tomás Chancalay tapped in a pass from Homegrown Player Esmir Bajraktarević. The Argentine forward, who now owns two goals in as many Champions Cup appearances, led New England’s attack with four shots, one on target, in tonight’s win.
The Revolution sealed their victory in second-half stoppage time, as Mark-Anthony Kaye scored his first goal with New England. Forward Giacomo Vrioni provided the assist, his second of the Concacaf Champions League campaign. Vrioni, suspended for Sunday’s MLS home opener against Toronto FC, will also miss next Wednesday’s Champions Cup match for New England due to yellow card accumulation.
On the defensive end, goalkeeper Henrich Ravas earned his second consecutive clean sheet in Champions Cup play following last Wednesday’s 1-0 win in Panama. Defender Henry Kessler also saw his first action of the 2024 season, making his Concacaf Champions Cup debut with a 45-minute shift in his return from injury.
New England returns to action with its 2024 Major League Soccer home opener on Sunday, March 3 against Toronto FC. The 2:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium is available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen to the Revolution’s local radio calls on 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 (WBZ-FM), with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies on the call, SiriusXM FC, and 1260 AM “Nossa Radio USA” in Portuguese.
TEAM NOTES
- New England advances to the Concacaf Champions Cup after defeating CA Independiente, 4-0, on aggregate. The Revolution will face Costa Rican side LD Alajuelense in the Round of 16, beginning next Wednesday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m. ET.
- New England improves to 4-5-1 all-time in Concacaf Champions Cup play, including a 3-2-1 mark against Central American opponents.
- The Revolution secured a clean sheet for the fourth time in Concacaf Champions Cup play, including a second straight tournament match. New England previously kept clean sheets in 2022 against UNAM Pumas and 2006 against LD Alajuelense.
- Thursday marked the first time New England donned the new Boston Tea Party kit in front of its home fans.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Caleb Porter earned a victory in his home debut with the club, improving his all-time record in Concacaf Champions Cup to 9-3-2.
- Nacho Gil notched his first goal for the club and first in competitive play since March 26, 2022 while playing with Spanish side FC Cartagena.
- Carles Gil tallied his first assist of the campaign and his third helper in four career Concacaf Champions Cup matches.
- Tomás Chancalay tallied his second goal in as many Concacaf Champions Cup appearances, matching Adam Buksa for the most goals by a Revolution player in the competition. Chancalay finished the night with a team-high three shots.
- Esmir Bajraktarević registered his first assist with the first team on Chancalay’s strike. In his 45-minute substitute shift, the Homegrown midfielder pitched in a team-high three key passes.
- Mark-Anthony Kaye also notched his first goal for the club in second-half stoppage time.
- Giacomo Vrioni collected his second assist in as many Concacaf Champions Cup appearances, also recording one shot on target.
- Henry Kessler made his first start of the season, logging 45 minutes in central defense. The appearance also marked Kessler’s debut in Concacaf Champions Cup play.
- Henrich Ravas played in his first game at Gillette Stadium, collecting a second clean sheet in as many Concacaf Champions Cup appearances.
GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 3, CA Independiente 0
February 29, 2024 – Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Referee: Ismael Cornejo (SLV)
Assistant Referee: Walter Lopez (HON)
Assistant Referee: Zachari Zeegelaar (SUR)
Fourth Official: Walter Lopez (GUA)
Video Assistant Referee: Erick Miranda (MEX)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Whitty (CAY)
Weather: 30 degrees and windy.
Attendance: 5,943
Scoring Summary:
NE – Nacho Gil 1 (Carles Gil 1) 8’
NE – Tomás Chancalay 2 (Esmir Bajraktarević 1) 58’
NE – Mark-Anthony Kaye 1 (Giacomo Vrioni 2) 90’+2
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Giacomo Vrioni (Yellow Card – Simulation) 20’
CAI – Aimar Modelo (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 39’
New England Revolution: Henrich Ravas; DeJuan Jones, Dave Romney, Henry Kessler (Nick Lima 45’), Andrew Farrell; Ian Harkes (Noel Buck 69’), Matt Polster; Tomás Chancalay (Emmanuel Boateng 77’), Carles Gil © (Esmir Bajraktarević 45’), Nacho Gil (Mark-Anthony Kaye 83’); Giacomo Vrioni.
Substitutes Not Used: Earl Edwards Jr., Jacob Jackson, Tommy McNamara, Jonathan Mensah, Jack Panayotou, Ryan Spaulding, Bobby Wood.
CA Independiente: Eddie Roberts; Aimar Modelo (Javier Betegon 57’), Orman Davis, Sergio Ramirez ©, Azmahar Ariano (Carlos Avila 80’); Luis Fields (Julio Narvaez 66’), Hector Hurtado; Jefferson Murillo, Davis Contreras, Guido Rouse (Victor Avila 45’); Ronaldo Dinolis (Daniel Moran 80’).
Substitutes Not Used: Miguel Sanchez, Javier De La Espada, Angelo Gudino, Rey Navarro, Justin Simons.
