FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution II (6-7-1, 19 pts.) defeated Toronto FC II (5-6-4, 19 pts.) on Friday night at Gillette Stadium, 1-0, behind a first career game-winning goal from Ryan Spaulding. New England picks up its second win in the last three games and the team’s sixth shutout of the season.
"The guys just wanted it," said Revolution II Head Coach Clint Peay. "They played hard. They were clear in their roles and their responsibilities and they just executed defensively.”
After a scoreless first half, New England broke the ice in the 68th minute, when midfielder Jake Rozhansky found Ryan Spaulding open inside the penalty area for the game’s lone tally. Rozhansky picked up his fifth assist of the season, tied for second most in League One this season.
"I remember one time I got the ball and Clint [Peay] yelled at me from behind me and was like, 'Somebody needs to drive with the ball,'" said Rozhansky. "The next time I got the ball, I kind of just started and the guys just kind of collapsed. I saw Ryan [Spaulding] was sitting alone of the far end. I kind of just chipped it over to him and he finished the rest.”
Goalkeeper Joe Rice made one save en route to his fourth clean sheet of the season in Friday’s win, setting a new career high. His record moves to 4-3-1 on the year. Toronto nearly took the lead at the half-hour mark, but Revolution II defender Pierre Cayet headed a curling shot off the line to preserve the shutout.
"Just working harder, being one step ahead of your man, working for each other by covering, and just being strong, solid defensively as a unit," said Spaulding. "And I think we did great with that tonight. We take pride in defending our home and getting good results here."
Homegrown Players Justin Rennicks and Damian Rivera once again featured for New England on Friday. Rivera set a new career high with seven shots on the night.
New England will be off next weekend and will return to action on Thursday, August 5 against North Carolina FC at Gillette Stadium in the first-ever meeting between the teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
New England Revolution II 1, Toronto FC II 0
July 23, 2021 – Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
- New England Revolution II defeated Toronto FC II, 1-0, on Friday night at Gillette Stadium. The win improves New England’s record to 6-7-1 on the year – a new team record for wins in a season – and their record in the all-time series with Toronto to 2-0-0.
- New England is 5-0-0 against MLS developmental sides in USL League One play this season, outscoring opponents 7-0 in those contests.
- Defender Ryan Spaulding netted his second goal of the season, his first career game-winner and the 800th goal in USL League One history. Spaulding also added three recoveries and an interception defensively.
- Midfielder Jake Rozhansky recorded his team-leading fifth assist of the season, second most in League One this year. For the ninth straight match, Rozhansky completed over 90 percent of his passes, added team highs in recoveries (12) and chances created (4), and won nine duels.
- Goalkeeper Joe Rice made one save to preserve his fourth clean sheet and fourth victory of the season, setting career highs in both categories.
- Revolution II Head Coach Clint Peay made one change to the Starting XI from last Saturday’s match at FC Tucson, with Sean O’Hearn making his first start June 30, replacing Tyler Freitas at right back. O’Hearn recorded a game-high four interceptions in his return to the starting lineup.
- Forward and Homegrown Player Justin Rennicks played 76 minutes, lifting him over 1,000 minutes played in a season for the first time in his career. Rennicks had two shots, one on target, and added three chances created offensively.
- Forward Damian Rivera put in an 88-minute shift, setting a new career high with seven shots on the night, also adding eight possessions gained.
- First-team defender Collin Verfurth saw action with Revolution II for a seventh-consecutive match since returning from injury, recording a team-high four clearances along with five recoveries and a blocked shot.
- Midfielder Michel won a team-high 10 duels and three tackles in Friday’s win, also registering three shots.
- Midfielder Noel Buck continued to feature in every game for Revolution II this season making his ninth start of the season and finishing the game with 88.9 percent of his passes completed along with three tackles and six possessions gained.
GAME CAPSULE
Referee: Ernie Constantine.Assistant Referees: Amilcar Sicaju (AR1), Ian Mangione (AR2).Fourth Official: Andre Carr.Weather: 72 degrees and partly cloudy.
Scoring Summary:
NE – Ryan Spaulding 2 (Jake Rozhansky 5) 68’
* Misconduct Summary:*
TOR – Themi Antonoglou (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 38’
TOR – Dante Campbell (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 45’+1
NE – Sean O’Hearn (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 79’
NE – Damian Rivera (Yellow Card – Simulation) 82’
TOR – Kevin Politz (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 90’+2
New England Revolution II: Joe Rice; Ryan Spaulding, Collin Verfurth, Pierre Cayet, Sean O’Hearn (Colby Quinones 86’); Jake Rozhansky ©, Michel, Noel Buck; Justin Rennicks (Michael Tsicoulias 76’), Damian Rivera (Hikaru Fujiwara 88’), Edward Kizza (Ryan Sierakowski 76’).
Substitutes Not Used: Marzuq Puckerin, Tyler Freitas, Dennis Ramirez.
Toronto FC II: Andreas Vaikla; Luca Petrasso, Antony Curic, Kevin Politz ©, Talen Maples (Antonio Carlini 74’), Kobe Franklin; Dante Campbell (Nicolas Ovalle 67’), Themi Antonoglou (Kosi Thompson 60’), Steffen Yeates; Julian Altobelli (Erickson Gallardo 74’), Garrett McLaughlin.
Substitutes Not Used: Caleb Patterson-Sewell, Nyal Higgins, Enric Bernat.
