MARBELLA, Spain – The New England Revolution played Chinese Super League side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C. to a draw, 0-0, on Thursday in the club’s 2019 preseason opener in Marbella, Spain. Goalkeepers Brad Knighton and Matt Turner combined on the shutout, as head coach Brad Friedel deployed a total of 22 players for their first game action of preseason.
Five players made their professional or Revolution debuts in the match: Academy product Justin Rennicks, offseason acquisitions Edgar Castillo and Juan Fernando Caicedo, and 2019 MLS SuperDraft first-round selections DeJuan Jones and Tajon Buchanan. In addition, Revolution Academy defender Tyler Freitas (North Attleborough, Mass. -- 2000) played 45 minutes at right back in the first half.
Forward Cristian Penilla produced a pair of dangerous chances for New England in the first half. In the 23rd minute, his right-footed shot took a deflection and curled over the bar, and a low drive in the 28th minute was saved. Knighton kept Shanghai off the scoreboard just before halftime with a diving save to his right on a long-range effort.
In the second frame, Teal Bunbury and Juan Fernando Caicedo led the attack and combined for a pair of quality chances in the 49th and 53rd minutes, respectively. Turner preserved the shutout with a crucial kick save in the 84th minute, before the Revs nearly bagged a winner in the final moments as Buchanan fired a curling shot, but Shanghai Shenhua’s goalkeeper forced the attempt off the crossbar.
New England returns to the pitch tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. ET, for a match against FC Viktoria Plzeň of the Czech First League. Viktoria, champions of the Czech Republic’s top division in 2017-18, recently finished third in Group G in UEFA Champions League and will begin play in the Europa League Round of 16 in February.
New England Revolution 0, Shanghai Shenhua FC 0
January 31, 2019 – La Quinta Fields (Marbella, Spain)
Scoring Summary:
None
Misconduct Summary:
Shanghai – Xiaoming Li (Yellow Card) 72'
New England Revolution (1st Half): Brad Knighton; Gabriel Somi, Jalil Anibaba, Andrew Farrell, Tyler Freitas; Cristian Penilla, Scott Caldwell ©, Wilfried Zahibo, DeJuan Jones; Diego Fagundez, Brian Wright
New England Revolution (2nd Half): Matt Turner; Edgar Castillo, Antonio Delamea, Michael Mancienne ©, Brandon Bye; Tajon Buchanan, Isaac Angking, Zachary Herivaux, Justin Rennicks; Teal Bunbury, Juan Fernando Caicedo
