COLUMBUS, Ohio (October 15, 2026) – No. 5 New England Revolution II begin their 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs quest with a visit to No. 4 FC Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon. The Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round match kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Watch Saturday's contest on MLSNEXTPro.com and One Football, with Peyton Gallaher providing play-by-play.
Crew 2 selected New England, which finished the 2026 regular season with a 12-8-8 record, as its opponent for Saturday's postseason match through MLS NEXT Pro’s Pick-Your-Opponent format. Saturday's match in Ohio marks the second postseason encounter between Revolution II and Crew 2. New England has an opportunity to avenge its 2023 playoff exit, when Columbus claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in the Eastern Conference Final.
Saturday's match also marks the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, with Revolution II earning points in two of the previous three matchups. Crew 2 went winless over the last four matches of the regular season. On the attacking end, Columbus is led by forward Kevin Gbamblé's 12 goals and 11 assists, second most in MLS NEXT Pro. Defensively, goalkeeper Luke Pruter backstopped Crew 2 to six shutouts in 21 games played.
Revolution II secured their postseason berth by collecting points in all three of their final matches of the regular season, including a 3-1 triumph at Toronto FC II on Decision Day with goals from forward/winger Myles Morgan, midfielder Javaun Mussenden, and defender Damario McIntosh. McIntosh also recorded an assist, while midfielder Logan Azar, forward/winger Makai Wells, and midfielder Cristiano Oliveira each added a helper.
Morgan enters Saturday’s contest in strong form after adding another milestone to his record-setting debut season with Revolution II. The Canadian forward scored his 14th goal of the campaign in the regular season finale, establishing a program single-season record. Earlier this year, Morgan also set a Revolution II record by scoring in five consecutive matches. Morgan finished the 2026 campaign tied for fourth in the league's Golden Boot race.
Academy graduates Mussenden and McIntosh also found the back of the net against Toronto FC II, with each player scoring his second goal of the season. Mussenden, who logged his MLS debut on Sept. 26 at Real Salt Lake, registered his sixth goal contribution of the campaign (2G, 4A) and ranks fifth on the team with 21 key passes. McIntosh recorded the first goal-and-assist performance of his professional career in the winning effort at Toronto.
New England's defense tallied seven clean sheet performances during the regular season, while conceding the fewest shot attempts (105) in MLS NEXT Pro. Goalkeeper Donovan Parisian, New England's first-round selection in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, collected four shutouts over his 13 games played this season. In the backline, New England's Gabe Dahlin and Jake Shannon ranked first and second on the team, respectively, in minutes played this season.
During the September/October FIFA International Window, Revolution II's Oliveira and Judah Siqueira represented the United States Under-19 and Under-17 Men’s National Teams, respectively. Oliveira earned his first Under-19 call-up and played all 90 minutes in midfield against Wales. During the regular season, the Homegrown Player from Somerville, Mass led Revolution II with a career-high nine assists. Siqueira, a fellow Homegrown Player from Easton, Mass., received his first international call-up and scored a goal from the penalty spot against the Netherlands. The 17-year-old netted two goals in 15 games played in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs Eastern Conference Quarterfinal
No. 5 New England Revolution II at No. 4 Columbus Crew 2
Saturday, October 17, 2026
3:00 p.m. ET
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (Columbus, Ohio)
