HARRISON, N.J. (July 8, 2023) – The New England Revolution (10-4-7; 37 pts.) fell on the road to the New York Red Bulls (6-7-8, 26 pts.), 2-1, at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night. After going down to 10 men following a Latif Blessing red card, Brandon Bye tallied his second goal of the season, but a late winner by the hosts snapped the Revolution’s seven-game unbeaten streak. Andrew Farrell appeared to equalize for the visitors in second-half stoppage time, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Frankie Amaya opened the scoring for New York in the 58th minute. Two minutes later, Revolution midfielder Latif Blessing saw his night end early after being issued a red card. Down a man and a goal, Bye moved into the attack on a corner kick and leveled the score with a headed finish in the 76th minute. Gustavo Bou provided the service for his third assist of the campaign. Bou’s assist extends his impressive run of form against New York, giving him five goals and three assists in seven games against the Red Bulls. The Argentine striker has two goals and two assists in his last four games.
Wikelman Carmona put the Red Bulls back in front with an 85th minute strike, which deflected off Ian Harkes and past Djordje Petrović, who finished the night with five saves. New England appeared to level the match in the final moments when Farrell fired in a shot from outside the box. However, the goal was disallowed for offside after video review.
Midfielder Ian Harkes made his Revolution debut as a substitute in the 68th minute. Defender Ben Sweat recorded his first MLS start for New England since joining the club in April. Homegrown Player Esmir Bajraktarević also slotted into the starting lineup in place of a suspended Carles Gil, logging 68 minutes.
The Revolution return to home for a pair of home matches next week, beginning on Wednesday, July 12 against Atlanta United FC. The 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium airs on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish, and airs locally on the radio at 98.5 The Sports Hub or 1260 AM Nossa Radio in Portuguese.
POSTGAME NOTES
- The loss ends New England’s seven-game unbeaten streak, which was the longest active run without a loss entering tonight’s action.
- Brandon Bye tallied his second goal of the season, the ninth of his MLS career, and won a team-high eight duels.
- Gustavo Bou distributed his third assist of the season, giving the striker two goals and two assists over his last four games. Bou led the team with two chances created.
- Bou now owns five goals and three assists in seven career appearances against the Red Bulls.
- Ian Harkes made his Revolution debut after signing with the club this week, playing 22 minutes in his first MLS appearance since 2018.
- Harkes, whose father John played for New England from 1999-2001, is now the first second-generation player in club history.
- Andrew Farrell made his 350th appearance for New England across all competitions, finishing the night with six clearances.
- Matt Polster made his 175th career appearance, doing so on the three-year anniversary of his signing with New England.
- Homegrown Players Esmir Bajraktarević and Justin Rennicks both saw action on Saturday, with the former playing 68 minutes in his fifth start of the campaign, and the latter logged 22 minutes off the bench in his first appearance since May 31.
GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 1, New York Red Bulls 2
July 8, 2023 – Red Bull Arena (Harrison, N.J.)
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Assistant Referees: Ryan Graves (AR1), Ben Pilgrim (AR2)
Fourth Official: Greg Dopka
Video Assistant Referee: Jorge Gonzalez
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jeff Muschik
Weather: 81 degrees and mostly cloudy
Attendance: 20,014
Scoring Summary:
NY – Frankie Amaya 3 (Dante Vanzeir 1, Luquinhas 1) 58’
NE – Brandon Bye 2 (Gustavo Bou 3) 76’
NY – Wikelman Carmona 1 (Omir Fernandez 3, Frankie Amaya 2) 85’
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Bobby Wood (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 6’
NE – Latif Blessing (Red Card – Serious Foul) 60’
NY – Andres Reyes (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 74’
NY – Cameron Harper (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 75’
NY – Kyle Duncan (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 82’
New England Revolution: Djordje Petrović; Ben Sweat (Ryan Spaulding 68’), Dave Romney, Andrew Farrell, Brandon Bye; Emmanuel Boateng (Justin Rennicks 68’), Matt Polster, Latif Blessing, Esmir Bajraktarević (Ian Harkes 68’); Gustavo Bou ©, Bobby Wood (Giacomo Vrioni 68’).
Substitutes Not Used: Earl Edwards Jr., Joshua Bolma, Omar Gonzalez, Jack Panayotou, Damian Rivera.
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel; Andres Reyes, Kyle Duncan, Sean Nealis ©; Frankie Amaya, Cameron Harper, Omir Fernandez (Peter Stroud 90’+1), Daniel Edelman; Dante Vanzeir (Wikelman Carmona 73’), Tom Barlow, Luquinhas (Hassan Nadam 87’).
Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Meara, Jayden Reid, Matthew Nocita, Ibrahim Kasule, Ronald Dankor.
Full statistics available HERE.
