NOTE: This story was written based on an EA SPORTS FIFA 20 simulation of the New England Revolution at New York Red Bulls match originally scheduled for Saturday, April 18. It includes made-up quotes, and recounts events that occurred exclusively in FIFA 20. You can watch the full highlights HERE.
THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE – The DP trio of Adam Buksa, Gustavo Bou, and Carles Gil once again scored all four of the New England Revolution’s goals on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn’t enough to extend their winning streak to four games as they were forced to settle for a wild 4-4 draw at Red Bull Arena, as simulated by EA SPORTS FIFA 20.
Buksa (8), Bou (3), and Gil (2) have now scored 13 of the Revolution’s 19 goals in six simulations, accounting for 68 percent of their fake scoring.
“Immediately after the final whistle I started writing up a ‘thank you’ card to the programmers at EA,” Buksa probably would’ve said postgame. “I included a postscript to ask if they’ll finally change me from right-footed to left-footed, but I’ll take the goals any way I can get them.”
Both of Buksa’s goals came late in a frantic first half, which saw the Revs fall behind 2-0 inside 25 minutes only to storm back for a 4-2 lead before halftime. It was the 11th time in club history the Revs scored four goals in a single half, but the first time it wasn’t real and won’t count in the record books.
Gil’s goal was the pick of the bunch as the captain stepped up to a free kick at the edge of the box in the 26th minute, and curled his effort over the Red Bulls wall and off the inside of the post.
“Typically you worry about a free kick from that range being too close to get up over the wall and down under the crossbar,” Gil might’ve said through an interpreter. “But in FIFA you don’t have to worry about physics, which was convenient for me on this occasion.”
While the first half ended with a goal blitz for the Revs, the second half ended in frustration as they saw their two-goal lead slip away in the final 20 minutes, conceding in the 72nd and 85th minutes.
“I’d imagine there might have been a controller or two broken at that point, particularly when they ended up with a two-on-none break in the 85th minute with us up a goal on the road,” head coach Bruce Arena likely would’ve said. “That’s something you wouldn’t necessarily expect to happen.”
While the result snapped the Revs’ winning streak at three, it extended their unbeaten run to four (3-0-1) ahead of their return to Gillette Stadium next weekend, where they’ll host the Montreal Impact looking to avenge a real-life loss in the season opener on February 29.
“We always look forward to getting back in front of the home fans,” said the Revolution’s entire roster. “We’ll do it in FIFA 20 next weekend, and then in reality someday soon. In the meantime, stay safe and know that we miss you.”
