ORLANDO, Fla. – The New England Revolution (1-1-1, 4 pts.) resumed the club’s 25th MLS season with a 1-0 win over the Montreal Impact in Group C Round One play in the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney Resort on Thursday night. Forward Gustavo Bou netted his first goal of the season and the 10th of his MLS career in only 17 games, reeling in a pass from Carles Gil before shrugging Montreal’s defense and scoring with his left foot in the 56th minute.
Gil, the reigning MLS Newcomer of the Year and 2019 Best XI Selection, registered three shots and one assist in his 2020 debut, which saw New England outshoot the Impact 19-7. Bou registered team highs in shots (eight) and shots on goal (three). Defender Alexander Büttner, one of Bruce Arena’s seven offseason additions, made his MLS debut at left back and helped anchor New England’s defense in the clean sheet. Goalkeeper Matt Turner recorded two saves, including a game-saving denial in stoppage time to rob Montreal forward Ballou Tabla of a late equalizer.
New England continues play in the MLS is Back Tournament on Thursday, July 16, when the Revolution take on D.C. United in Round Two of Group C action. The match kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, TUDN, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and TSN in Canada.
New England Revolution 1, Montreal Impact 0
July 9, 2020 – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Orlando, Fla.)
Revolution Defeat Montreal Impact, 1-0, in MLS is Back Tournament
The Revolution (1-1-1, 4 pts.) defeated the Montreal Impact (1-1-1, 4 pts.) in Group C Round One action in the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, Fla.
- New England is now 10-10-3 all-time against the Montreal Impact, having lost this year’s season opener to Montreal, 2-1.
- The win lifts Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena’s record in New England to 9-4-9.
Gustavo Bou’s Blast Gives Revolution 1-0 Victory
- Forward Gustavo Bou broke the scoreless deadlock in the 56th minute of tonight’s match, collecting a pass from Carles Gil and driving a shot past Montreal goalkeeper Clément Diop.
- The tally was Bou’s 10th in 17 MLS regular season MLS appearances dating back to his debut on July 17, 2019. He recorded nine goals in 14 games in 2019, and also has three MLS assists to his credit, including one this season.
Captain Carles Gil Makes 2020 Debut
- Midfielder Carles Gil, the 2019 MLS Newcomer of the Year and MLS Best XI selection, made his first appearance of the season with a 90-minute outing. The 27-year-old Spaniard recorded 88 touches, 12 chances created, and completed 54 of his team-high 62 passes in a 90-minute performance.
- In his 35th MLS appearance, Gil recorded his 15th assist on Bou’s 56th-minute goal.
- With the addition of Gil alongside Gustavo Bou and Adam Buksa, tonight marked the first time in club history New England fielded three Designated Players in regular season play.
Scott Caldwell Reaches 200-Game Milestone
- Midfielder Scott Caldwell recorded his 200th career regular season appearance with his start in the midfield tonight.
- The Braintree, Mass. native is the ninth Revolution player to record 200 regular season appearances, and the second Revolution Academy product to do so. He is one appearance shy of equaling Steve Ralston (201) for eighth place on the club’s all-time list.
Kelyn Rowe Makes Revs Return
- Midfielder Kelyn Rowe made his first appearance with New England since returning to the club where he previously played seven MLS seasons from 2012-18, before spending last season with Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake.
- With the start tonight, Rowe made his 225th regular season appearance. In the Revs’ regular season history books, Rowe ranks tied for fourth in assists (40), seventh in games played (206) and 10th in both starts (161) and goals (29).
GAME CAPSULE
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
Assistant Referees: Nick Uranga, Chris Elliot
Fourth Official: Joseph Dickerson
VAR: Drew Fischer
Assistant Video Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt
Weather: 86 degrees and clear
Attendance: N/A
Scoring Summary:
NE – Gustavo Bou (Carles Gil) 56'
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Michael Mancienne (Yellow Card – Unsporting Behavior) 61'
MTL – Luis Binks (Yellow Card – Unsporting Behavior) 72'
New England Revolution: Matt Turner; Brandon Bye, Michael Mancienne (Henry Kessler 67'), Antonio Delamea, Alexander Büttner (Dejuan Jones 82'); Scott Caldwell, Kelyn Rowe, Cristian Penilla (Tajon Buchanan 86'), Gustavo Bou, Carles Gil ©; Adam Buksa (Teal Bunbury 86').
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton, Jeff Caldwell, Wilfried Zahibo, Andrew Farrell, Isaac Angking, Diego Fagundez, Seth Sinovic, Justin Rennicks, Damian Rivera.
Montreal Impact: Clement Diop, Samuel Piette (Lassi Lappalainen 84'), Luis Binks, Rod Fanni, Jukka Raitala ©; Rudy Camacho, Bojan (Romell Quioto 57'), Victor Wanyama, Saphir Taider; Orji Okwonkwo (Zachary Brault-Guillard HT); Maxi Urruti (Ballou Tabla 75').
Substitutes Not Used: Mathieu Choiniere, Emmanuel Maciel, Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Evan Bush, Karifa Yao, Shamit Shome, Amar Sejdic, Jorge Corrales.
