NOTE: This story was written based on an EA SPORTS FIFA 20 simulation of the New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew SC match originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16. It includes made-up quotes, and recounts events that occurred exclusively in FIFA 20. You can watch the full highlights HERE.
FAKESBOROUGH, Mass. – Saturday afternoon’s clash between the New England Revolution and Columbus Crew SC had it all – except for, you know, real soccer – as the Revs got a stoppage-time winner from Adam Buksa to claim a 5-4 win over Crew SC, as simulated by EA SPORTS FIFA 20.
Buksa’s late strike was his second of the game – bringing his total to 15 goals in 11 simulations, including five multi-goal games in the last seven – but New England also got contributions from players who had seen limited minutes in previous simulations.
Kelyn Rowe, making his first fake start since returning to the Revs in the offseason, rewarded whoever is making these decisions by scoring the opening goal in the 17th minute, reacting quickest to finish off a rebound from Diego Fagundez, who also scored the Revs’ third goal on the stroke of halftime.
“I’ve been patiently waiting for my opportunity, and I knew when it came that I needed to grab hold of it,” Rowe probably would’ve said. “It had been a while since I’d scored at Gillette Stadium, so it was great to celebrate in front of the home fans, although I’m not sure why my ‘rowing’ celebration isn’t in FIFA. That’s a pretty big miss.”
Also making a significant impact was second-half substitute Alex Büttner, whose foray into the Columbus box in the 83rd minute forced a quite spectacular own goal to pull the Revs level at 4-4.
“His name won’t be on the score sheet, but Alex deserves all the credit on that play,” head coach Bruce Arena might’ve said. “I’m not exactly sure what the Columbus player is doing in that moment, but I’m not sure he does, either, since he’s a computer program.”
That set the stage for Buksa’s late winner as the Polish striker ran onto Carles Gil’s pass and lashed home at the near post, moving the Revs to 5-0-2 in seven simulations at home. In three of those seven matches the Revs have snatched points in the 80th minute or later.
“It’s fake, so it might as well be dramatic,” Buksa was probably thinking.
The Revs will be home yet again next weekend as they’ll host Toronto FC, aiming to avenge one of their two simulated losses having fallen to TFC, 4-3, less than a month ago.
“It’s imperative that everyone continues to maintain their distance at this point,” said the Revolution’s entire roster. “Then when we’re back in action, we’ll hopefully be putting some distance between us and the other teams in the Eastern Conference.”
